PAC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
- Legal Adviser
- Managing Partner of the Gober Group
Chris Gober is the Managing Partner of The Gober Group, a nationally recognized law firm that represents political and public policy advocates, business enterprises ranging from emerging start-ups to multibillion-dollar companies, and high-profile entrepreneurs, investors, professional athletes, elected officials, and music artists. The Gober Group has been recognized on Inc. magazine's prestigious Inc. 5000 list, the ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. based on revenue growth, in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Chris Gober is a trusted legal adviser for the most consequential matters in American politics: campaigns, PACs, and nonprofits; constitutional and political litigation; and government investigations and enforcement actions.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
- Chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- IV of Austin Texas Is President and CEO of Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc
Mr. Heldenfels was appointed Chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) by Governor Rick Perry in May 2010 and served on the board from July 2006 through December 2013. He also served as an appointee of Governor George W. Bush on the Coastal Coordination Council from 1995 to 1998.
Mr. Heldenfels is immediate Past Chair of the A&M PAC's board and serves as treasurer on the board of Texans for Lawsuit Reform. He also serves on the Austin Chamber of Commerce's Executive Committee and board. In addition, Mr. Heldenfels is Past Chairman of the Texas A&M Twelfth Man Foundation (2001), Past President of the Texas Good Roads Transportation Association (2001-2003), and Past Chairman of PCI - the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (2004). He is a Past Chairman of both the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Foundation (1997) and the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce (1993), where he helped initiate support for tort reform in the Coastal Bend, as well as the creation of a four-year university within the Texas A&M University System.
Fred W. Heldenfels IV of Austin Texas is President and CEO of Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
- President of Sulphur River Exploration Inc
H. Rex Corey Jr. began his career with Fina Oil and Chemical Co. in 1985. He served in numerous capacities at Fina, which involved drilling, production, reservoir evaluation, asset divestitures and acquisitions.
In 1992, Rex joined Sulphur River Exploration Inc., where he has been responsible for the company's significant growth through exploration, acquisition and development of producing oil and gas properties, and strategic purchase of related pipeline systems. In his capacity as President of Sulphur River, Rex oversees all aspects of the company's operations including exploration, drilling, and development activities. The company has spent more than $100 million drilling wildcat and development wells primarily in the East Texas basin and has completed transactions totaling more than $750 million.
Rex is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. Rex is an active member and past president of numerous industry organizations including the Dallas Petroleum Club Hard Hatters Committee and the Dallas Producers Club. Rex currently serves on the Board of Directors of Mustang Gas Compression and is on the Advisory Board of EIV Capital.
H. Rex Corey Jr. is President of Sulphur River Exploration Inc. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Vice Chairman of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
Jonathan Neerman is a highly skilled trial attorney with experience in all phases of litigation, not only at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts, but also in various alternative dispute resolution forums.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
- Partner at Granite Public Affairs
Kris is a partner at Granite Public Affairs, a consulting firm that provides lobbying, public relations and issue advocacy services. Prior to that Kris served as Governor Rick Perry's deputy chief of staff, where he helped manage the office and advised the governor on legislative strategy, communications strategy, and a wide variety of state agency matters. Serving the governor for more than nine years, he also held positions of deputy legislative director, liaison to the Senate, and policy advisor.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
Linda LaMantia dedicates much of her time to STARS, a scholarship foundation that makes higher education assessable to students from South Texas and the El Paso area.
Mike Shaw Mike Shaw graduated from Texas A&M in 1968 with a BBA. While at Texas A&M, Mike was a member of the Corps of Cadets, a Distinguished Military Student and graduate. Read more +
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
- Founder and President of Pathfinder Public Affairs
Rene served as Chief of Staff for State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa. During his time there, he was responsible for the research and staff support that helped the Senator secure critical funding for regional projects, helped increase the budgets for The University of Texas - Pan American (UTPA) by $6.3 million and the Rio Grande Valley's Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) by $6.5 million. Rene was also at the Senator's side when the office secured over $170 million in transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Senate District 20 that became key to fueling international trade and economic development in the Valley.
Rene A. Ramirez is the founder and President of Pathfinder Public Affairs, a consulting firm specializing in state and local government relations, communications and crisis management.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD of TRUSTEES
- Vice President of Business Development for VirTex Enterprises
Will Oliver is the Vice President of Business Development for VirTex Enterprises, an industry-leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider with nine manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Mexico. Will has over 26 years of experience in electronic component and Electronic Manufacturing Services sales and business development with a successful record of generating positive growth by developing strategic plans and goals for his teams with industry leaders in EMS such as Flextronics and KeyTronicEMS. The Oliver's own Thornton Grey Enterprises in College Station. Among other investments, Thornton Grey Enterprises owns and operates SafeWay Driving BCS, a driver training and education company in Bryan/College Station. The Oliver's and SafeWay Driving BCS support the College Station ISD Foundation as a "Cultivator Donor". Being a part of supporting education at all levels is a passion for the Oliver's. Will sits on the Board of Advisors for Safe2Save as well. Safe2Save is an app company that rewards you for safe driving that changes the attitudes and behaviors towards distracted driving.
Will Oliver is a fourth generation Aggie, Class of '91. His passion for Texas A&M University, its students, former students, and its future is one of his top priorities and passions in life. Mr. Oliver and his wife Leslie moved to College Station in December of 2016 to be closer to family and closer to their passion, Texas A&M University.