Samuel "Ray"
Huffines ’74
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2019
Plano, TX
Ray Huffines ’74 is the owner and CEO of Huffines Auto Dealerships. Under his leadership, the family business has grown to nine dealerships in the Dallas area and has been recognized by the Dallas Morning News for seven years as one of the “Top 100 Places to Work” in Dallas-Fort Worth based on employee surveys.
Huffines earned a BBA in management from Texas A&M in 1974. As a student, he was a member of Squadron 2, a founding member of the Corps of Cadets’ Parsons Mounted Cavalry and a member of the 1971 national championship Fish Drill Team.
He served on the Texas staff for Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign from 1979 to 1980 and as personal assistant to Texas Gov. William P. Clements from 1981 to 1983.
Huffines is a member of the Board of Trustees for Texas A&M’s 12th Man Foundation and has served on the boards for Dallas Baptist University, Trinity Christian Academy in Addison and the Plano Salvation Army, as well as chaired the Plano Chamber of Commerce and Coaches Outreach ministry. He has been Muster chair for Collin County and is a member of The Association of Former Students’ Century Club, with 37 years of giving. In 2009, he and his wife, Ann, established the Ann and S. Ray Huffines ’74 Military Appreciation Scholarship through the Texas A&M Foundation.
He was honored as the 2018 Ambassador of Hope by Plano’s Hope Center for Christian ministries and in 2008 received the Legends of Service award from the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter.
"Ray is a successful business leader with a selfless service to society and is dedicated and loyal to Texas A&M University. He more than exemplifies the core values of Texas A&M through his excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service."
- Steve M. Jones '80
Joseph B.
Swinbank ’74
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2018
Houston, TX
He started his first business while still an A&M student, and today is co-founder and co-owner of Sprint Companies in the construction waste and industrial service sectors. He has been a leader and catalyst throughout the formative and ongoing stages of A&M’s Rural Entrepreneurship Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; mentoring, serving as a “Prof for a Day,” taking part in a yearly symposium and supporting a seminar series, graduate teaching assistantship and new classroom. In 2014, he led the establishment of the M. Edward Rister ’74 Chair in Rural Entrepreneurship. He has been a member of The Gardens at Texas A&M committee, Chancellor’s Century Council and the Agriculture and Life Sciences development council.
He is a Diamond Century Club member of The Association with 36 years of giving and a member of the A&M Legacy Society.
He has also supported Texas State Technical College and spoken at high schools, educating students about industrial job opportunities. In Fort Bend County, he has served on boards for the Work Force Commission, Habitat for Humanity and Economic Development Board.
“I am proud to be an Aggie. And as an Aggie I find the greatest personal satisfaction encouraging, sharing my experience, successes, struggles and failures with Aggies and others paying forward what has been given to me,” he said.
His family includes wife Shirley; three children, including Will Swinbank ’02 and Reagan Swinbank ’03; eight grandchildren; sister Jill Swinbank Norris ’80 and brother-in-law James F. Connally ’71.
“Challenges in life, school and business only helped to develop personal and professional strengths needed to succeed.”
- Joseph B. Swinbank '74
S. Shariq
Yosufzai ’74
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 1999
Dacca, East Pakistan
Yosufzai received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1974. While at Texas A&M, he served as Vice President of the Student Body and the Chairman Pro Tempore of the Student Senate. He serves as Corporate Vice President of Caltex Petroleum Corp., a joint venture of Texaco and Chevron, and President of Caltex Lubricants. He is the recipient of several awards. In 1995, he was awarded AIChE’s Robert L. Jacks Memorial Award for his contributions to both the management of engineers and the Chemical Process industries. He was appointed Chair of the Council of Societal Impact of AIChE.
Yozufzai was the first former student to be awarded both the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Outstanding International Alumnus Award.
Jorge A.
Bermudez ’73
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2017
College Station, TX
JORGE A. BERMÚDEZ ’73 received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics. As a student, he was a member of the student chapter of the Sports Car Club of America and took part in activities within the Department of Agricultural Economics.
He was chief risk officer for Citigroup/Citibank 2007-08, CEO and president of Citibank Commercial Banking Group 2006-07 and Senior Advisor International and CEO of Citigroup Latin America 2002-06, in a 33-year career with Citibank and Citigroup. He is currently president and CEO of the Byebrook Group.
Since 2015, he has served on the board of trustees of the Texas A&M Foundation. He served on the board of The Association of Former Students 2006-12, including serving as chair in 2011, and supported the enhancement of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. He serves on the College of Agriculture Development Council, the Dean’s Advisory Board for Mays Business School and A&M’s International Advisory Board, and created scholarships for dependents of veterans and business honors scholarships, among gifts that also include support for the Financial Planning Program and the Wiley Lecture Series.
He was named an Outstanding International Alumnus of A&M in 2016, received the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2009; and was added to the Department of Agricultural Economics’ Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry in 2006.
He serves on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Moody’s Corp. and the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, which he chaired in 2013. He chaired the steering committee of the New York Clearing House trade group.
His family includes wife Andrea Moo-Young Bermúdez, five children and three grandchildren.
“Integrity has no price, only value that accrues throughout your life.”
- Jorge A. Bermudez '73
Hon.Willie E. B.
Blackmon ’73
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2005
Houston, TX
The Honorable Willie E.B. Blackmon received a bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Texas A&M University in 1973 and a Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University in 1982. During his time at Texas A&M, he was an All-Southwest Conference and All-American athlete and member of the world record holding indoor mile relay team who won the U.S. Track and Field Federation National Championship. Blackmon was recognized for his athletic achievements with his induction into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 1984, Blackmon entered the U.S. Air Force as a military attorney where he served for the next 20 years. In 2004, he was honorably discharged from the Texas Air National Guard at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Blackmon’s outstanding career contributions were recognized when he was selected to serve as an International Election Supervisor in Bosnia in 1997. Upon completion of active duty, he served as Assistant District Attorney in Lubbock and Houston and established a successful career as a private attorney prior to becoming a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston.
As a former student, Blackmon has served Texas A&M as a co-founding member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association, a member of the College of Education and Human Development Advisory Council and the Corps of Cadets Development Council, and a Representative at Large for The Association of Former Students.
"Being an Aggie means that I am part of a network of individuals that are as special collectively as they are individually. Our traditions and Aggie culture set us apart from all other universities in the nation. And let it be understood, our greatest asset is the Aggie Network, and its silver lining is the diversity of our student body, which is well on its way to living the “Dream” of a great Aggie, State Senator Mathew Gaines. Senator Gaines, an African American Senator of the Reconstruction era in Texas history, dreamed of an integrated land grant college where all Texans would have an equal opportunity to succeed. And those opportunities manifest themselves today, when we travel at home or abroad, while wearing the Aggie ring. This symbol of the Aggie Spirit becomes a worldwide passport to hospitality and camaraderie. I say this out of my experiences as a world traveler, meeting Aggies who recognize me not by face, but by the ring on my finger. This tells them that we share not only a heritage that has molded who and what we are, but also a common bond, which in a strange environment, beckons one to a harbor light of friendship."
Clarence E.
Sasser ’73
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2014
Rosharon, TX
Clarence E. Sasser ’73, who served as an Army medic in Vietnam, was the eighth Aggie to be awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1968, while helping evacuate wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire, he carried one to cover and returned to help carry others to safety, despite sustaining wounds in both his legs. Sasser’s Medal of Honor citation reads, in part, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. ... Although in agonizing pain and faint from loss of blood, Sp5c. Sasser ... proceeded on to encourage another group of soldiers to crawl 200 meters to relative safety. There he attended their wounds for 5 hours until they were evacuated. ... Sasser’s extraordinary heroism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.” Gen. Earl Rudder ’32, then university president, offered Sasser a scholarship to Texas A&M, where he studied chemistry. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he worked briefly in an oil refinery, then established a lengthy career in service to veterans with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A scholarship at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center has been established in his honor. At Texas A&M’s commencement in May 2014, Sasser was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Letters. He joins Texas A&M’s Medal of Honor recipients from World War II who were named Distinguished Alumni in 2012.
"I often see people proclaim their patriotism on their sleeve. I believe it thrives best when nurtured in their hearts and minds."
Anthony J. "Tony"
Best ’72
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2019
College Station, TX
Throughout his 40-year career in engineering and leadership, Tony Best ’72 has served as President – Latin America for ARCO, President and CEO of Pure Resources and CEO of SM Energy. He is board chairman at Newpark Resources, a director at ProPetro, ExL Petroleum and Middle Fork Energy Partners and a senior advisor with Quantum Energy Partners.
Best earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M in 1972, and while a student was a Ross Volunteer, member of the RV Firing Squad and 1st Wing commander in the Corps of Cadets. His loyal service to Texas A&M and Corps of Cadets includes 15 years serving as president of the Corps of Cadets Association.
After graduating from Texas A&M, he served five years as an Air Force officer prior to entering the oil and gas industry.
Best has remained connected to Texas A&M throughout his career and was founder, president and Muster chair of the South Central Alaska A&M Club. He has served A&M on the Mechanical Engineering Advi¬sory Council and College of Engineering Advisory Council and as a 12th Man Foundation and Association volunteer leader. He is a member of The Association of Former Students’ Century Club, with 40 years of giving, and has established two Sul Ross scholarships.
Best has been inducted into the Mechanical Engineer¬ing Academy of Distinguished Graduates in the Texas A&M College of Engineering.
He has served on the American Heart Association’s South¬west Affiliate Board and on the Denver Junior Achievement Board. As chair of the Denver Heart Walk in 2014 and United Way-Midland’s board and campaign in 1997, he led record fun¬draising of $3.8 million and $3 million, respectively.
"Tony is a leader in his profession. More importantly, he is an Aggie's Aggie, and a loyal friend who lives a life dedicated to our core values."
- Tim Leach '82
Jerry S.
Cox ’72
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2005
Baytown, TX
Jerry S. Cox received a bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Finance from Texas A&M University in 1972, a Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Pepperdine University in 2000, and a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Houston Baptist University in 2002. During his time as a student at Texas A&M, Cox was a member of the Corps of Cadets and received the Outstanding Cadet Award.
In 1977, he founded Cox & Perkins Exploration, Inc., a fully-integrated independent oil and gas exploration and production company, where he serves as President and Chairman. His peers in the oil and gas industry praise Cox as an adroit investor and businessman who operates with high integrity and honesty. Cox is a member of Hydril Co. Board of Directors and the Pepperdine University Board of Regents.
Cox has given his time to Texas A&M serving as President of the 12th Man Foundation, member of the Mays Business School Development Council, Director of the Private Enterprise Research Center, and was recently selected Chairman Elect of the Texas A&M Foundation. As Presiding Chair of the One Spirit One Vision Campaign, Cox directed the historic multi-year campaign surpassing the $1 billion goal. Perhaps the greatest testimony to Cox’s service to the university in his assistance with searches for key leadership positions at Texas A&M. In 1998, Cox’s professional achievements were recognized with the Mays Business School Outstanding Alumni Award.
Born in Baytown, Texas, Cox and his wife, Kay ’02, have two children, Courtney and Paul.
"To me, being an Aggie simply means family and community. It is a sense of belonging and loyalty to anyone and everyone who shares that label. A&M was immensely valuable to me in teaching me discipline, respect, and focus. These principles demonstrated to me that a steadfast work ethic focused on a worthy cause will, over time, produce good results. Over the years since A&M, I have been blessed to see these core beliefs prove beneficial and reliable in many different areas of my life."
Mark
Fischer ’72
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2022
Oklahoma City, OK
If Mark Fischer ’72 were to share some advice, he would say, “Make a difference, and be a master of your own destiny. Always remember, in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity, so embrace complexity to arrive at the best outcome.”
Originally, Fischer wanted to become an astronaut. In 1968, when he was a freshman at Texas A&M, the United States was engaged in the space race, and Fischer thought that acquiring an aerospace engineering degree was the best way to join this exciting new field. He did graduate in aerospace engineering; but by 1972, he had decided to turn his attention to the energy sector instead.
Fischer started his career with Exxon, and in 1988, he founded his own oil and gas company, Chaparral Energy. The company operated in 13 states under Fischer’s leadership. It was recognized by the Aggie 100 four times, the Oklahoma City Metro 50 award eight times, and was recognized as one of the best places to work in Oklahoma City. Ernst and Young named Fischer an Entrepreneur of the Year national finalist in 2012. Fischer served as Chaparral’s CEO and chairman of the board until his retirement in 2017. Additionally, Fischer owns and chairs the boards of six other companies: Dippin’ Dots, Pointe Vista Development, SuMark Pharmacies, Doc Popcorn, Resource Oil and Gas and Skybridge Development.
Recently, Fischer and his wife, SuSu, co-chaired A&M’s Lead by Example campaign, which raised over $4.25 billion in support of Texas Aggies. Fischer has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Boy Scouts of America, and he chaired the board of The Association of Former Students in 2019. The Fischers have sponsored Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as the Zachry Engineering Complex’s Fischer Engineering Design Center.
The Fischers have two children, Scott and Christy ’04, and three grandchildren. Two of Mark’s brothers are Aggies as well.
“While his business successes are impressive and noteworthy, his greatest attribute is his engaging spirit for life and his desire to help others.”
- Lias J. "Jeff" Steen '80
Hon. James R. "Rick"
Perry ’72
direct link to this listing
Year Awarded: 2002
Haskell, TX
Perry received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1972 and served as a Yell Leader while he was a student. His political career includes service in the Texas House of Representatives, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture and Lieutenant Governor. He is the 47th Governor of the State of Texas.
Exemplifying the highest of Aggie traditions, Governor Perry has devoted his life to service to his state and fellow Texans. As the first Aggie Governor, Perry has continued to focus on higher education and cites his education at Texas A&M as a strong example to all young Texans of the value of higher education.