Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed James W. “Bill” Bruce and reappointed Thomas Beall and Cliff Todd to the Sabine River Authority Board of Directors for terms set to expire July 6, 2029. The purpose of the Sabine River Authority is to conserve, store, control, preserve, utilize, and distribute the storm and flood waters and the waters of the Sabine River and its tributaries.

According to the official announcement, James W. “Bill” Bruce of Orange is the general manager for the Moore Odom Wildlife Foundation, Inc. and the FR Ranches of Texas and Louisiana. He is on the board of directors of Duphill, Inc. and Bridge City State Bank and is a member of Ducks Unlimited, Cutting Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association.

Thomas Beall of Milam is the president of Beall’s Furniture, Inc. and the owner of Cimarron Equipment. Additionally, he is the owner of Red Hill Ranch Cattle and the former owner and manager of several Ashley Furniture Home Stores. He has served on the Hemphill Independent School District Board for 15 years and is a current board member for First State Bank in Hemphill. Beall received an associate degree in management from Tyler Junior College.

Cliff Todd of Long Branch manages the assets of his farm and ranch operations in Panola County and is executive vice president for Topcat Oilfield Services. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the UT Health Hospital of Carthage Governing Board. He is a commissioner with the Emergency Services District for Panola County, president of the East Texas Gas Producers Association, and a director for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce. He is a former member of the Austin and Carthage Rotary Clubs and a member and deacon of Central Baptist Church of Carthage, where he is a longtime adult Sunday school teacher. Todd received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Stephen F. Austin State University.

The appointments of James W. “Bill” Bruce, Thomas Beall, and Cliff Todd to the Sabine River Authority Board of Directors will contribute to the authority's mission of conserving, storing, controlling, preserving, utilizing, and distributing the storm and flood waters of the Sabine River and its tributaries. Their diverse backgrounds and experience in various industries and organizations will bring valuable perspectives to the board.

These appointments reflect Governor Abbott's commitment to ensuring that qualified individuals are appointed to key positions in the state government. The Sabine River Authority plays a crucial role in managing the water resources of the Sabine River, and the board members will have a significant impact on water conservation and flood control efforts in the region.

With their extensive experience and expertise, James W. “Bill” Bruce, Thomas Beall, and Cliff Todd are well-suited to serve on the Sabine River Authority Board of Directors and contribute to the effective management of the water resources in the Sabine River basin.