Elaine
Mendoza ’87
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Year Awarded: 2022
San Antonio, TX
“Throughout different aspects of life, the perseverance cultivated during my time at Texas A&M has strengthened my determination to meet challenges head on and not be deterred in resolving complex issues,” said Elaine Mendoza ’87.
Mendoza earned her degree in aerospace engineering, one of a small group of women in the program at that time. As a student, she worked at the NASA Ames Research Center and participated in activities such as intramural sports. Not long after her graduation from A&M, Mendoza founded Conceptual MindWorks Inc., where she remains CEO today. Her company has led in biotechnology and medical informatics for 32 years, researching chem-bio defense, population health and developing and deploying cloud-based electronic health records.
Concurrent with her leadership in industry, Mendoza has committed much of her time to public service, primarily in the spheres of education and health care. In San Antonio, she has served on multiple education-focused boards. One, where she serves as chairman, established a city-wide pre-K education program. She has served on many state-level commissions and boards, including the Code Red Task Force, which delved into Texans’ health care access. She led the COVID-19 Frontline Child Care Task Force, which connected essential workers to child care. Mendoza has been recognized for her contributions with numerous awards and honors.
Mendoza has served on The Texas A&M System Board of Regents since 2011. As chair of the Committee of Academic and Student Affairs, she worked to establish a robust set of metrics for measuring student outcomes and focused on educator preparation. In 2019, she was voted by the regents to be chairman of the board, becoming the first Hispanic chair.
Mendoza met her husband, Larry Gay ’85, while they were students at A&M. They have two daughters and sons-in-law: Contessa Gay ’16 and Cameron Novikoff ’15, and Francesca Blissett ’19 and Jordan Blissett ’18.
“At every step, Elaine has demonstrated her determination in the pursuit of excellence, her capacity to build significant institutions and her willingness to serve the public interest.”
- Henry Cisneros '68
Thomas W.
Powell ’62
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Year Awarded: 2022
Giddings, TX
“‘Honors,’ in my way of thinking, are not what I may have done or accomplished, but what I have received,” said Thomas W. Powell ’62. “When I think about Texas A&M and honors, I think about the honor I received by having the privilege of being a student and a member of the Corps of Cadets.”
In addition to being in the Corps of Cadets, Powell also served as a Ross Volunteer and was a member of MSC SCONA. Although Powell earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics, the majority of his career has been in business administration.
Powell has spent decades leading Powell Industries Inc. He served as president and CEO from 1984 until his retirement, as well as the company’s chairman of the board. When he first joined the company in 1964, it was a five-man family business. Currently, the company employs over 3,000 people and has expanded to international locations. This type of growth is no accident. Powell’s leadership philosophy, built on the values he learned at Texas A&M, has prioritized integrity and elevated his employees every step of the way.
In addition to his corporate success, Powell’s convictions have also led him to generously give back to others. He has established many chairs, fellowships and scholarships for Texas A&M, both at the flagship College Station campus and in Galveston. He spent 10 years on Texas A&M University at Galveston’s board of visitors, and is the namesake of that campus’s Powell Marine Engineering Complex. His philanthropic donations have served A&M’s colleges of Science, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is also passionate about retaining first-generation college students, who he supports with a scholarship through A&M’s Science Leadership Scholars Program.
Powel has two children, Holly '85 and Michael '88; his wife, Kimberly, also has two children, Victoria '13 and Zane.
“He is a fascinating individual with a generous heart and a deep love for this university, and I believe the Distinguished Alumnus Award was made for persons of his caliber.”
- Meigan Aronson
Travis Logan
Smith ’98
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Year Awarded: 2022
Travis L. Smith Jr., Class of 1898, enrolled at A&M when he was only 15, after personally petitioning then-president Lawrence Sullivan Ross for admission into the sophomore class. Smith honored Ross’s generosity by earning a degree in civil engineering in only three years, just short of his 18th birthday. Smith led in the Corps of Cadets as a first lieutenant and staff adjutant. He became one of the original Ross Volunteers, both serving Ross during his lifetime and presiding over Ross’s 1898 funeral.
After graduation, Smith embarked on a prolific career. It is thought that he founded 18 companies in his lifetime. Whether as a civil engineer, surveyor, airplane engine manufacturer, oil driller, aerial crop-duster or anything else, Smith served those around him, especially those in financial need.
He was generous to a fault, even when it wasn’t in the best interest of his business. When developing real estate, Smith would often sell lots for less than they were worth to make them more affordable to prospective land owners. He once constructed student housing near campus, employing primarily students and World War II veterans. He then deeded it to The Association of Former Students, stipulating that when it was sold, the profits would go toward scholarships. Smith also created two Presidents’ Endowed Scholarships.
Aggie community was important to Smith. He served as a Class of 1898 Class Agent. He founded the Sul Ross Group, originally composed of Aggies who had been students during Ross’s tenure, and served as the group’s permanent president until his death in 1972. Smith is remembered by many former cadets as a generous benefactor and mentor.
Smith’s Aggie legacy has continued in his 11 direct descendants who are Aggies and many other family members who attended Texas A&M.
“For a number of years I have known of his unbelievable energy, diversified interests, great achievements and, most of all, his enormous generosity.”
- Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Darling ’54
Clifton L.
Thomas, Jr. ’72
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Year Awarded: 2022
Victoria, TX
“I always want to be that business person who is successful, but does it the right way,” said Clifton L. Thomas, Jr. ’72 — and the core values at Texas A&M have helped him to do just that. “The core values are more than words — it’s the way you live your life.”
Thomas came to Texas A&M as a football recruit under coach Gene Stallings ’57. Football taught Thomas how to treat people right, manage adversity and work extremely hard, as well as how to build a team and be accountable to those teammates. He graduated with a degree in physical education, having married his high school sweetheart, Cathy, along the way. After a few years coaching high school football, he decided to change fields, and he took a job as manager of a small Exxon distributorship in Hope, Arkansas.
In 1981, Thomas purchased his own Exxon distributorship in Victoria, Texas, creating Thomas Petroleum and C.L. Thomas Inc. Thomas and his team had great success, becoming one of Exxon’s and Chevron’s top distributors. Thomas Petroleum grew to 36 wholesale terminals in 23 states, 230 dealer accounts and 165 Speedy Stop Stores with about 3,100 employees. In 2012, Thomas sold 143 Speedy Stop Stores to 7-11. Thomas currently owns and operates 23 Speedy Stop Stores and co-owns Pilot Thomas Logistics.
Thomas has contributed to A&M’s strategic development through The Texas A&M System Board of Regents. During his 11-year tenure, both as a committee member and as chairman of the board, the A&M System saw a number of new buildings and renovations across campuses, from RELLIS to Kyle Field, as well as a move to the SEC. Thomas has served his broader community through positions on the boards of Guadalupe- Blanco River Authority, DeTar Hospital System, Wells Fargo bank, and The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company.
Cliff and Cathy have three daughters, Ashlie ’17, Whitney and Beth, and three granddaughters, Preslie ’25, Ashbie and Sophia.
“No other person I know represents what is possible with a degree from Texas A&M better than Cliff Thomas.”
- John Sharp '72
Dr. Jimmy
Williams, Jr. '83
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Year Awarded: 2022
Wexford, PA
To Dr. Jimmy Williams, Jr. ’83, Texas A&M means family. He said, “Family shapes your values, helps you to maintain your humility. They challenge you to be your best, they protect you in the most fierce manner, they honor and applaud your growth, they deeply care.”
Williams knows what it means to contribute to a large family: He grew up the fourth child out of 10. He is a first-generation college graduate, and was the first in his family to study engineering. He joined the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as a student, and soon accomplished his goal of earning a mechanical engineering degree.
Williams returned to Missouri for his MBA, and stayed for a Ph.D. in engineering and public policy. During this time, Williams began a 20-year career with Boeing, eventually becoming director of research and development. Boeing honored Williams with its Black Engineer of the Year Award in 2001. Williams then moved to Alcoa, again with a focus in research and development, and later moved to Pall Corp., where he was made senior vice president of global engineering. Williams retired from industry in 2015, taking on a new role at Carnegie Mellon University as the executive director and distinguished service professor of the university’s Engineering and Technology Innovation Management Program.
In addition to his notable engineering career, Williams has also served on the boards of many organizations. In 2020, he co-chaired Texas A&M’s task force on diversity, equity and inclusion, with findings that directly impacted the university’s current initiatives. He became the first Black chair of the board of The Association of Former Students in 2018. He also served as president of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation board and on the boards of Innovation Works, Tech-Solve Corp. and the Washington University Alumni Association.
Williams and his wife, Valerie, have two children and a granddaughter.
“He is not only an outstanding engineer but also an outstanding and compassionate leader and a great example of the Aggie core value of selfless service.”
- Dr. John E. Hurtado '91
E. E. "Mr. Mac"
McQuillen ’20
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Year Awarded: 2021
College Station, TX
As a student, McQuillen was a lieutenant colonel in the Corps, lettered in track and basketball, was captain of the 1920 Southwest Conference champion basketball team and associate editor of the yearbook, a Ross Volunteer, senior class president and valedictorian. His college career was interrupted by service in World War I as a U.S. Army second lieutenant.
He led The Association of Former Students as executive secretary from 1926 to 1947. He reorganized and encouraged A&M Clubs throughout Texas and beyond; created an Opportunity Award Scholarship Program that helped thousands attend A&M; and introduced annual giving in 1942. In 1943, McQuillen created the first Muster packets sent worldwide, formalizing Aggies’ practice of gathering on April
21 under the name of “Muster.” He initiated the Gold Star Fund for children of former students killed in combat and led fundraising for A&M’s Memorial Student Center.
From 1947 to 1963, he was director of the Texas A&M Development Office; he led the Texas A&M Development Foundation (today’s Texas A&M Foundation) 1953-63. He served the American Alumni Council as director (1947-
48) and president (1955-56) and was a co-recipient of its Grand Award for Alumni Giving in 1959. He was elected to the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975. In 2020, The Association created the E.E. McQuillen
Society of volunteer fundraisers in his honor.
“The institutionalization of the organized, worldwide Aggie Muster was probably his proudest accomplishment.”
- Granddaughter, Julie Hayes
Ray
Nesbitt ’55
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Year Awarded: 2021
Houston, TX
Ray B. Nesbitt ’55 graduated from A&M in three years, then started as a junior engineer at the Humble refinery in Baytown. He retired in 1998 as president of Exxon Chemical Co.; previous positions included vice president of Exxon Chemical Europe and president of Exxon Chemical Americas. In 1991, he received Texas A&M Engineering's Outstanding Alumni Award.
He served as a director of the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and on boards including Hibernia Bank
and Marshall National Bank. He and wife Sarah co-chaired capital campaigns for St. Francis Episcopal Church and The Women’s Home in Houston. At A&M, they created chemical engineering scholarships; a chemical engineering professorship, chair and faculty
endowment; and an engineering study classroom.
Nesbitt was a Gold-level member of The
Association’s Century Club with 32 years of giving, supported the 12th Man Foundation and Texas A&M Foundation and was a member of
the Chemical Engineering Advisory Council and A&M Legacy Society. He served on the executive committee for A&M’s “One Spirit, One Vision” capital campaign.
“He has demonstrated competence and integrity throughout his career and brought honor to Texas A&M.”
- Melbern G. Glasscock 1959
John C.
Otto ’70
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Year Awarded: 2021
Bryan, TX
For John C. Otto ’70, coming to A&M and being part of the Aggie Band and the Corps of Cadets was the best experience of his life, said his wife, Nancy. He walked into Dorm 11 with a footlocker and a great deal of apprehension about what was coming, and left four years later with a degree, the Aggie core values and lifelong friends, she said.
As a student, Otto was head drum major of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, a Ross Volunteer and a member of the MSC Leadership Program.
Otto was a certified public accountant in Houston 1970- 1975 and in Dayton 1975-2010. He served on Dayton’s city council and school board and served eight years active and
reserve duty in the U.S. Army. He was an Endowed Century Club member of The Association with 46 years of giving. Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2004,
Otto represented District 18 for six terms, from 2005 to 2017, chairing the House Appropriations Committee and holding other key positions. In 2017, he became assistant
vice chancellor and director of local government relations for The Texas A&M University System.
In 2017, he received the Olin “Tiger” Teague ’32 Award from The Association and Texas A&M Advocacy Network for contributions and government service on behalf of A&M. In 2020, the mace used by A&M’s head drum major to lead the Aggie Band was named in Otto’s honor. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp ’72 presented Otto with an inscribed replica of the mace.
“Throughout his career, he was revered for his
honesty, integrity and dedication to improving
the lives of all Texans.”
- Glenn Hegar 1993
Dr. C. M.
Cocanougher ’53
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Year Awarded: 2020
Decatur, TX
When Dr. C. M. Cocanougher ’53 came to A&M in 1949, he was the first in his family to go to college.
“Upon arriving on an overcrowded campus shortly after World War II that fall, he lived with 20 freshmen in barracks located around Easterwood Airport,” Charles Gary Cocanougher ’77 said of his late father.
“The comradeship, rapport and friendships that were established that fall among those young fish was never forgotten by Charles, nor was his love for Texas A&M.”
Cocanougher built a veterinary practice in Wise County with three clinics, and was a longtime civic leader and businessman in Decatur, including serving as a Decatur City Council member.
As a student, he played trumpet in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and served in the Student Senate, and earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine in ’55.
He was named an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and 1985’s Citizen of the Year in Decatur. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a captain and base veterinarian. He was a president and rodeo secretary of the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse, president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, officer of the Decatur Rotary Club and charter member and chairman of the Wise County American Heart Association chapter. He also served on the Texas Veterinary Medical Association board of directors.
He and wife Jo Ann endowed A&M scholarships, including 10 veterinary school scholarships, and two annuities; he was a Gold-level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 37 years of giving.
The Cocanoughers have five children, Gary ’77, D’Ann, Beth ’80, Scott ’82 and Mary Kay ’86, and 11 grandchildren, including Chris Anne ’01, Austin ’16 and Gary ’20.
Mike A.
Hernandez III ’83
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Year Awarded: 2020
Ft. Worth, TX
His native Rio Grande Valley has always been important to Mike Hernandez III ’83, who founded the Brownsville Scholars Program at Texas A&M specifically to send low-income students from his hometown to become Aggies.
Hernandez is the owner and CEO of D&M Leasing, one of 2019’s Top 100 Places to Work rated by the Dallas Morning News, among the Fort Worth Business Press’s Top 5 privately-held companies and Dealer Rater’s Top Leasing Company in America. He is the president and founder of the Hernandez Foundation, which has provided significant support to area schools and scholarships, and has supported nonprofit ventures that boost opportunities in Cameron County.
In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him as a member of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
He was recognized as one of Fort Worth’s top CEOs in 2014 and one of FTWInc’s “400 Most Influential and Powerful Leaders in Greater Fort Worth” in 2018.
In 2016, he was named Brownsville’s “Person of the Year,” and in 2017, he was Rio Grande Valley’s Citizen of the Year, Honorable Mention.
He is a member of the advisory committee for Texas A&M’s McAllen campus and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s advisory committee on workforce training. He is also a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association and Texas Automobile Dealers Association.
Hernandez is a Diamond-level member of The Association’s Century Club, with 12 years of giving, and has supported the ACREW Living Learning Community at A&M.
His Aggie family includes his father, Mike Hernandez Jr. ’54, sisters Ana Hernandez Franklin ’80 and Sandra Hernandez, ’84, brother Albert Hernandez ’87 and great-great-uncle Praxedis Orive, Class of 1897.
He and wife Kelly have four children, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.