GBRA is governed by a board of nine directors appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate. Each director serves a six-year term, with three directors appointed or reappointed every two years. Prior to each regular monthly meeting, board committees meet to recommend and review policies, programs and actions for consideration. The General Manager and staff conduct management and administrative duties in accordance with policies established by the board.
Victoria County
Reappointed: 2021
Term Expiration: 2027
Dennis Patillo, of Victoria is president of Evangelynn Hospitality LLC. He is the former president of Stewart Title of the Coastal Bend Inc.
He is the past chairman of the Victoria Economic Development Corporation, the Houston Association of Realtors and the Texas Association of Realtors. Mr. Patillo has served on a number of boards and commissions including the Texas Tax Reform Commission, the University of Houston Commission on Downward Expansion, the Victoria County Airport Commission and DeTar Healthcare Board of Trustees.
Patillo received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston.
Kendall County
Appointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2027
Patrick Cohoon of Boerne is the managing member of Leger, Ketchum and Cohoon, PLLC in Boerne. Cohoon is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Kendall County Bar Association, the College of the State Bar of Texas, and a sustaining member of the Texas Bar Foundation.
He serves as president of the Boerne Volunteer Fire Department and chairman of the Boerne Kendall County Water Committee. Cohoon is also a member and former chairman of the board of the Boerne Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the Boerne Kendall County Angel Network.
Cohoon received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston.
Refugio County
Appointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2029
Robert Blaschke of Woodsboro is a retiree from the DuPont Company and previously served as Refugio County Judge. Blaschke serves on the board of the Refugio County Community Development Foundation, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, and the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group. He is also president of the Woodsboro Education Foundation.
Blaschke attended Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
DeWitt County
Reappointed: 2020
Term Expiration: 2025
William Carbonara of Cuero is vice president of RNC Insurance Agency. Carbonara serves on the board of the Cuero Education Foundation and the Cuero Rotary Club. He has served in various leadership and board roles with community organizations including Little Dribblers, the Cuero Soccer Association, the Boys and Girls Club of DeWitt County, the Cuero Chamber of Commerce, the Cuero Development Corporation and the St. Michael’s Catholic Church advisory council. He is also a volunteer youth sports coach and has coached Little League Baseball in Cuero for 17 years.
Carbonara received a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Caldwell County
Appointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2029
John Cyrier of Lockhart is the owner of Someday Strategies, LLC. He is the former Texas state representative for Texas House District 17 and a former Caldwell County commissioner. He is chairman of the San Marcos Airport Advisory Board. Additionally, he is on the general staff for the Commemorative Airforce, and is a captain in the Texas State Guard. Cyrier received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University.
Gonzales County
Reappointed: 2025
Term Expiration: 2031
Steve Ehrig, of Gonzales, is owner and partner of Ehrig Brothers Ag, E Barr Feeds, and E Brothers Ranches. He is a member of the Gonzales County Young Farmers, a director with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and past president of the Texas Young Farmers. He is also a member of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, Gonzales County Agents’ Advisory Board, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, and a past board member of the Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District.
Additionally, Mr. Ehrig is a past vice president of Gonzales Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, past president of the Gonzales County Farm Bureau and the Gonzales County Appraisal District Agriculture Advisory Board, and a former announcer for Gonzales Livestock Show Association.
Hays County
Appointed: 2025
Term Expiration: 2031
Jennifer L. Storm of Buda is chief executive officer of the Buda Economic Development Corporation, a role she has held since October 2022. Storm was raised in Premont on her family’s tree farm, Storm Nursery, and has a background in small business, community service, and economic development.
Storm serves as chair of the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership. She is a graduate of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School – Cohort 2, Leadership Corpus Christi Class 39, Leadership San Antonio Class 30, and is a member of Leadership Texas Class 2025.
Storm received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.
Guadalupe County
Appointed: 2021
Term Expiration: 2027
Sheila L. Old, a resident of Seguin, is president of The Old Law Firm, where she also serves as a practicing attorney. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, and serves as vice president of the Guadalupe County Bar Association. She has held leadership positions in a number of charitable and service organizations. She is the current president of the Heart of Texas Tri Delta alumnae and has served as past president of the Guadalupe County Aggie Mom’s Club.
Ms. Old received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctor degree from Baylor University School of Law.
Comal County
Reappointed: 2023
Term Expiration: 2029
Emanuel Valdez, of New Braunfels, is a Software Consulting Manager with BMC Software, INC. and an active volunteer with the Vintage Oaks Veterans Organization. Valdez honorably retired from the United States Army Reserves after thirty years of service as a Command Sergeant Major. He holds a certification in System Programming from International Business Machines.