Governor Abbott Names Chair, Vice Chair And Appoints Six To OneStar Foundation
May 20, 2019 | Austin, Texas | Appointment
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Robert G. “Bob” Wright, II to the OneStar Foundation for a term set to expire on March 3, 2021. Additionally, the Governor appointed Elexis Grimes and Michael Parker for terms set to expire on March 3, 2020 and reappointed Yvonne S. “Bonnie” Brown, Benjamin A. Montañez, and Randy H. Skinner for terms set to expire on March 3, 2022. The Governor named Wright as chair and Brown as vice chair. The OneStar Foundation provides technical assistance, education, information and other support to Texas’ extensive volunteer community, and improving and strengthening the state’s volunteerism and community service infrastructure.
Robert G. “Bob” Wright, II is founding member and lead corporate and finance attorney of Wright Connatser PLLC. He is a senior lecturer on entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Dallas. Previously, he built and managed two computer game companies – ION Storm and Edge of Reality. He has served as a member of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund Advisory Committee and as member of the Camp Fire USA Board of Trustees. Wright received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Allegheny College and a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech University.
Elexis Grimes of Cedar Park is the managing director of the Texas division of WEXCO International and serves as a School Board Member of Leander ISD. She is a former member of the National Society for Minorities in Hospitality and served on the steering and financial committees for Leander ISD. Currently, she volunteers with the Reveal Resource Center and previously with CARES. Grimes received a Bachelor of Science from New Mexico State University.
Michael Parker of Weatherford is managing partner of Parker LLP, a regional transportation and insurance litigation law firm. He currently holds the rank of Major in the Texas State Guard, and previously served with distinction in the California State Military Reserves. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association and its Ethics Committee, Access to Justice Committee, and the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the United States Court of Appeal for the Armed Forces and the International Association of Special Investigation Units and a lifetime member of the State Guard Association of the United States and the National Guard Association of Texas. He is chair of the State Guard Association of the United States – JAG Training Academy. Parker received a Bachelor of Science from Pepperdine University and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from Whittier Law School.
Yvonne S. “Bonnie” Brown of Raymondville is co-owner of three small businesses. Previously, she served as a high school teacher for 30 years. She is currently on the board of the Raymondville Chamber of Commerce and serves as secretary of the Harlingen Concert Association Board. Additionally, she is a board member of Communities Against Substance Abuse and has served on several non-profit boards including La Posada Providencia, HOPE board and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Brown received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Education from Pan American University.
Benjamin A. Montañez of San Antonio is a senior associate at Norton Rose Fulbright. His practice focuses primarily on mergers and acquisitions, public and private financings, and public company reporting and corporate governance matters. Previously, he was a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, and served in Saudi Arabia, Israel, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and Washington, D.C. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Additionally, he is a board member of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation. Montañez received a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University, a Master in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, a Master of Letters in International Business from the University of St. Andrews, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School.
Randy H. Skinner of Dallas is the president of Strategic Justice Initiatives, Inc. and FEED 3 Inc. He is the former chairman of the City of Dallas Ethics Commission. He serves on the Re-Build Port Aransas committee in response to Hurricane Harvey Coastal Bend recovery. Additionally, he advises governmental municipalities on Opportunity Zones and Urban Revitalization. Skinner received a Bachelor of Arts from Howard Payne University and a Master of Divinity from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary.