AUSTIN (April 9, 2009)—Gov. Rick Perry Thursday named seven members to the board of directors of the Waco-based Brazos River Authority including residents of Gatesville and Salado.

Perry named Kari Belt of Gatesville and Sara Lowrey Mackie of Salado to the board.

Belt is a certified public accountant and Mackie is executive director of the Institute for the Humanities at Salado, and owner and a president of Lowrey Communications.

The Texas Senate must approve the appointments.

The BRA is charged with developing and conserving surface water resources in the Brazos River Basin.

More On The Appointees
(Source: Texas Governor’s Office)

Kari Belt of Gatesville is a certified public accountant. She is a member of the Flat Baptist Church Finance Committee and Women’s Ministry Team, and vacation Bible school co-director. Belt received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. She replaces Mark Carrabba of Bryan for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Sara Lowrey Mackie of Salado is executive director of the Institute for the Humanities at Salado, and owner and a president of Lowrey Communications. She is a member of the Bell County Museum Board of Directors, Southwestern University Board of Visitors and King’s Daughter’s Hospital Association Advisory Group. She is a past member of the Bell Country Clearwater Underground Water District Public Advisory Board, Junior League of Bell County Board of Directors and Salado School Board of Trustees. Mackie received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and attended the University of the Americas in Mexico City. She replaces Patrica Bailon of Belton for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

James F. “Jim” Landtroop of Plainview is president and owner of Jim Landtroop Insurance and Financial Services Inc. He is a member of the National and Texas associations of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Plainview Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, Texas Farm Bureau and National Rifle Association. He is a board member of the Plainview United Way and American Cancer Society, coach of the Plainview Christian Academy Men’s Varsity Basketball Team, and an elder at Plainview Bible Church. Landtroop received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and attended Dallas Theological Seminary. He replaces Wade Gear of Fort Worth for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Nancy W. Porter of Sugar Land is director of communications for Fort Bend Independent School District. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Texas School of Public Relations, and National School Public Relations Association. She is also a Young Life volunteer, and a member of the Sugar Land Rotary Club Board of Directors and Sugar Land Zoning Board of Adjustment. Porter received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. She is being reappointed for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

G. Dave Scott of Richmond is executive vice president of Port City Stockyards. He is president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Board of Directors, Texas Livestock Market, and Brazoria County Cattlemen’s Association. He is also a life member of the Fort Bend County Fair Association and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he is past chairman of the Range Bull and Heifer Committee. Scott attended the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University. He replaces Zachary Brady of Lubbock for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2013.

John D. Steinmetz of Lubbock is market president for Vista Bank. He is a member of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and Texas Tech University Chancellors Council. He is also a past member of the United Way of Lubbock Campaign Cabinet and past board president for the Boys and Girls Club of Lubbock. Steinmetz received a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in banking from Texas Tech University. He is being reappointed for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.

Robert E. “Bob” Tesch of Georgetown is president and owner of Tesch and Associates Inc. He is outgoing presiding officer of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. He is also a member of the Southwestern University Board of Visitors, Real Estate Council of Austin, Boy Scouts Capitol Area Council Executive Board of Directors, and Austin Area Research Organization. Tesch served in the U.S. Navy and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He replaces Scott Smith of Cedar Park for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2015.