Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Garrett Marquis and Randy Martin, Pharm.D. and reappointed Rick Fernandez and Julie Spier to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for terms set to expire on August 31, 2029.

The Board's main objective is to ensure the provision of quality pharmaceutical care to the citizens of Texas and to regulate the practice of pharmacy in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and openness.

Garrett Marquis, the chief communications officer for the Bank of New York Mellon, and a former commissioned officer on the U.S. National Security Council, has been appointed to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Marquis holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

Randy Martin, Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacist and clinical services manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, has also been appointed to the Board. Martin is a Texas delegate for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the immediate past president of the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He holds a pre-pharmacy degree from Tarrant County College, a Master of Healthcare Administration from Louisiana State University at Shreveport, and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Texas Tech University.

Rick Fernandez, a regional healthcare director at Walgreens, overseeing over 770 community and specialty-based pharmacy locations across Texas and New Mexico, has been reappointed to the Board. Fernandez has over 30 years of experience at Walgreens and has served in various roles, including president of the El Paso Pharmacy Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Julie Spier, the director of pharmacy operations for the southern division of Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb, has also been reappointed to the Board. Spier oversees over 140 pharmacy locations in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. She has a diverse background in pharmacy management and is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Texas Federation of Drug Stores and the Texas Pharmacy Association. Spier holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Houston.

These appointments and reappointments will contribute to the Board's ongoing efforts to uphold the highest standards of pharmaceutical care and regulation in the state of Texas.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-appoints-four-to-texas-state-board-of-pharmacy