Events

Dr. Leonard Bright is a Full Professor at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. In 2003, he obtained his PhD from the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University in Oregon. Since coming to Texas A&M in 2011, he has served two years in dual roles as Associate Professor and Assistant Provost in the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, and before that, he served three years as Assistant Dean of Graduate Education and Associate Professor in the Bush School here at Texas A&M University. In 2018, he stepped away from his dual roles, and he is currently teaching core courses in the Master of Public Service and Administration degree program in the Bush School. His research contributions have been recognized through publications in the leading academic journals in his specialty of public management. His publications have had a measurable impact on his field of study as illustrated by the frequent citation of his research. He is a top national expert in his field on motivation for public service employees.

John P. Nichols, PhD, is professor emeritus in the Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Economics. His teaching and research interests have focused on value added marketing systems and the contract design issues that advance the farmers’ share of the value created throughout the value chain from farm to consumer. He was active, and served as Chair, in regional and national research through NEC-63, a long running project focusing on the assessment of the economics of commodity advertising and check off programs. His teaching focus is in agricultural commodity marketing, agricultural policy and agribusiness marketing management. He served as advisor to student organizations including the the competitive marketing team for the National Agri-Marketing Association. He has also served in administrative roles as leader of research at the Department level and program leader for economics in AgriLife Research. He completed his administrative career as Department Head. He has been active in international research and development projects spanning 15 countries and 45 years. He is currently Chairman of the International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education in Yerevan, Armenia a project he started in 1999. He has a record of sponsored research funding in excess of $15 million. He is a member and Fellow of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association and Senior Economist in the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Development Institute.

Voices for Children has over 135 active volunteers who come from all walks of life. They span all age ranges. Some are just beginning in the workforce, and others are retired. Over half of our volunteers work full-time and have families. Some have backgrounds in the criminal justice system, social work, or child welfare. Other volunteers have no such experience at all.

Reverend William Plotts is the Hospice Chaplain for Luminos Hospice.

Since the start of ABA Services in 2005, Thomas’ skills have earned both him and the company a reputation for excellence, problem-solving, and innovative application. Through his attention to detail and dedication, ABA Services has grown to be the brand of choice for construction projects both in the Brazos Valley and throughout the State of Texas. Thomas’ drive to offer the best products and experiences for ABA Services’ customers has cemented his role as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and part of the Executive Management Team.

In this role, Thomas is responsible for overseeing the company’s construction contracting operations and employee teams. His objective is to build high-value projects for the company’s customers and partners through skills training and development of ABA employees. Thomas's second focus is updating the company’s current systems and processes to increase job productivity and efficiency. Thomas’ practical experience aids him in driving large-scale company growth, cultivating successful leaders and teams, and constructing an employee-first company culture.

Thomas is passionate about delivering high-quality work, using the best materials, finding solutions before the problem arises, and exceeding expectations in all of the relationships he builds with customers.

Dr. Charles (Charley) Gilliland, a native of Colorado, grew up on a cattle ranch and graduated from Regis College in Denver, Colorado with an A.B. degree. Dr. Gilliland earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Gilliland currently holds an appointment as a Research Economist with the Real Estate Center in the Office of the Provost and an appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. He also served as Clinical Professor of Finance in the Master of Real Estate program in the Mays School.

The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers bestowed its Golden Quill Award on Dr. Gilliland. The Farm Credit Bank of Texas inducted Dr. Gilliland into the Academy of Honor for significant contributions to agriculture.

Dr. Gilliland has served as President of the Bryan Texas Rotary Club where he is a member of the Paul Harris Society. He also has served as Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5910. In addition, he also serves on the Youth Exchange Committee and Governor for Rotary District 5910.

Dr. Gilliland has an extensive publication record, including a book entitled Buying Rural Land In Texas published by the Texas A&M University Press.

Jeff Donoughue is Boeing’s director of Program Integration for the International Space Station, coodinating daily operations for the orbiting laboratory along with maintenance, sustaining and upgrades for the program. The ISS is the largest, most complex international scientific and engineering program in history, enabling hundreds of experiments annually while supporting continuous human habitation for more than 20 years. 

Prior to his current role, Donoughue served as the manager of Avionics Systems Sustaining for the ISS overseeing the complex computer, power and sensor network that directs the space station as it moves through orbit.

Donoughue led multiple activites throughout the design and assembly phases of the development of the ISS, including as a certified console operator for NASA’s Mission Evaluation Room during 37 missions to assemble the ISS in orbit.

Donoughue earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M. He is based in Houston.