Becky and Robert M.
Gates
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Arlington, VA
Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on December 17, 2006, as the 22nd Secretary of Defense. Before entering his present post, Secretary Gates was the President of Texas A&M University, the nation's seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M on August 1, 2002, he served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001. Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 to 1993, and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents.
Leanne ’94 and Clay
Gaspar ’94
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Tulsa, OK
As a senior petroleum engineering student, Clay Gaspar ’94 couldn’t wait until Fridays. His excitement wasn’t for the weekend. Gaspar was impatient to go to class. “While I was there—and over a span of 17 years—Billy Pete Huddleston ’56 would spend every Friday teaching a class at A&M,” Gaspar said. No matter where Huddleston was in the world, he would make it back to Aggieland to lend an experienced hand to Gaspar and his classmates as they prepared to enter the challenging discipline of the oil and gas industry. Huddleston, a highly respected and successful leader in the petroleum engineering field, garnered a salary for his classroom instruction, but he never cashed the check for himself. “He would donate it back to the department,” Gaspar said. “Many people have helped me to get where I am,” he said, “but no one like Huddleston. He taught practical application of knowledge, and that a life led by selfless service was a life lived with excellence.” Texas A&M gave him and his wife—Leanne Gaspar, Accounting Class of ’94—a new direction to their lives. “From meeting each other, as well as many of our lifelong friends, Texas A&M has painted the spirit of Aggieland over all of life’s experiences,” he said.
He wears his Aggie Ring knowing that it connects him to thousands of other Aggies who experienced many of the same traditions.
“It is a tradition that expands well beyond the boundaries of College Station,” he said. “The Aggie Ring is a symbol of our Aggie family.”
Clay and Leanne’s college experience was made better by Aggies who came before them, he said. The sacrifices and generosity of former students is why they spend much of their time in service to the next generation. “The traditions at Texas A&M are a big part of the culture,” he said. “One of those traditions is giving back and supporting the next generation of Aggies.” Today, Clay and Leanne live in Tulsa with their future Aggies, Grant and Colten.
Lisa W. ’91 and Porter S.
Garner III ’79
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College Station, TX
Porter S. Garner III earned his B.B.A. in marketing and Lisa (West) Garner, earned her B.A. in Speech Communications, both from Texas A&M. Porter joined The Association staff in 1981 and nearly 20 years later became only the sixth professional Executive Director for The Association in its 124-year history. Porter is leading the effort to increase membership and participation among former students by expanding services and improving communications. Lisa has a history of service to Texas A&M as well, having served on the staffs of both The Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Foundation.
Regardless of when we walked this campus, how we arrived or from where we began our journey, we share a bond that transcends time. We share a bond, respected and envied throughout the world that recognizes we are as individually unique as we are collectively common.
Daniels S.
Garner ’65
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Daniel Garner was the Personnel/Insurance Supervisor for the Texas A&M Research Foundation and received the foundation’s “Outstanding Performance Award” in 1989. With Dow Chemical, he helped develop the “Flying Saw” still used to cut extended Styrofoam insulation board and directed installation of welding, etching, sandblasting and coating process for Titanium Chlorine Anodes. He was the third generation of a great Texas A&M Family.
Ann and Charles C.
Garner ’44
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Dallas, TX
Charles C. Garner was in the Fightin' Texas Aggie Field Artillery Band and blew bugle calls for Corps formations. He left college in 1943 to serve as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Returning to A&M, he graduated in Industrial Engineering and then completed a J.D. degree at the University of Texas School of Law in 1950. Involuntarily recalled into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he served until 1952. He worked for General Dynamics before becoming Vice President and General Counsel of Standard Manufacturing Company, Inc., Dallas, for 30 years. Since 1985, he has been a Patent Attorney with the Needham and Garner Law Firm, Dallas. A charter Century Club Member for 35 years, he has been Class Agent for the Class of 1944 for 2 years. Mr. Garner has been married to Ann Katherine Pope for 56 years. She was head drum major of the Palestine High School Band directed by Colonel E. V. Adams ’29, who later was director of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. They have 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and a great granddaughter. The long-time members of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas have made this gracious contribution because of their love for Texas A&M.
Nancy and Paul '66
Gardner
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College Station, TX
Paul F. Gardner graduated from Texas A&M University in 1966 with a BBA in Accounting. Mr. Gardner went on to serve the US Army as a Finance Officer, followed by a career as a Cost Accountant at Economy Furniture Industries, Data Processing Manager, then Comptroller, and ultimately Vice President/Finance. He went on to become an Independent Financial Advisor as well ad a Registered Investment Advisor. Mr. Gardner cites the impact Texas A&M has had on shaping him into who he is today as why he decided to make the decision to become a member of The Association's Endowed Century Club.
Ann M. ’86 and Michael P.
Gallaway ’86
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Southlake, TX
Michael P. Gallaway ’86 graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Economics and in 1994 received his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. Michael is currently working for Exxon-Mobil and is responsible for developing an energy demand outlook for North and South America. He has also developed macroeconomic planning bases, the hydrocarbon liquids supply forecast and worked as a research economist at the United States International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. His wife, Ann Gallaway ’86 graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Journalism.
We had been away from Texas and Texas A&M for a number of years. We returned with our young daughter to show her around, and the great memories returned, as well as the reminders of how much of a difference Texas A&M has made our lives. The biggest difference Texas A&M can make to the future is to develop leaders, researchers, and successful business professionals that are prepared to make an impact. Programs and activities supported by The Association are a fundamental part of accomplishing this goal.
Carolyn and Steven T.
Fyke ’77
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Houston, TX
Steven graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University with a degree in Accounting in 1977. He then continued his education by receiving his Masters in Finance from the University of Houston at Clear Lake City. Steven worked in the energy business for Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company and Enron in accounting, internal audit and marketing roles for over 25 years. He now serves as CFO of Pro-Vision, a ministry in Houston that inspires hope and purpose to the underserved of Houston through charter school, character development and job training programs. Steven feels that he has been blessed and hopes that this endowment will provide students an opportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise have. Steven strives to exhibit the character, excellence and selflessness that a great Texas Aggie possesses.
Barbara and Kenneth L.
Fry ’55
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Atlanta, GA
After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, Kenneth Fry served in the United States Army until 1959. Fry then went to work for Mass Mutual Life Insurance as an agent in 1959. Fry held various positions while at Mass Mutual until his retirement as Executive Vice President in 1992. Fry has also held assorted positions within the American Cancer Society and United Way in the Atlanta area. Fry and his wife, Barbara reside in Atlanta, Georgia and have 5 children and 14 grandchildren.
Carol F. ’77 and G. Ross
Frazer ’77
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Houston, TX
G. Ross Frazer ’77 is vice president of engineering and director of UK projects for ATP Oil & Gas Corporation in Houston and Guildford, Surrey, UK. He has been employed in the oil and gas industry since graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering.
Carol Fox Frazer ’77 graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation, she was employed with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. and was part of the team that designed the 1980 expansion of Kyle Field. She later retired from engineering to become a full-time mom and volunteers in a variety of community organizations.
I believe that Texas A&M can become one of the best universities in the world. I would like to help that happen since my experiences at A&M have benefited me throughout my enjoyable career and adult life. I have such fond memories of my years there and am extremely proud to be an Aggie. Since we have a daughter who is a student now, I am even more motivated to help the school reach its full potential.
J. Louis
Frank ’58
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Sugarland, TX
J. Louis Frank served as President of Marathon Petroleum Company and has held nearly every field and drilling position in his 30-year career with the company. He supervised operations in Alaska, Indonesia and Ireland and is an expert in the supply, transportation, refining and marketing of petroleum products.
Harriet and Joe B.
Foster ’56
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Houston, TX
Joe Foster is a Texas businessman, oilman, and philanthropist. From 1989 to 2005, Foster was Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company, headquartered in Houston. Previously, Mr. Foster was Chairman of Tenneco Oil Company and Executive Vice President and director of its parent, Tenneco Inc. He was with Tenneco for 31 years and also served as Chairman of the Tenneco Gas Pipeline Group.[4]
Mr. Foster was born in Arp, Texas and attended Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in general business. He served in the U.S. Army in 1958. In May, 1997, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M University. Mr. Foster served as Chairman of the National Petroleum Council, an industry advisory body to the U.S. Secretary of Energy in 1997, and in 1995-1996 served as Chairman of the Offshore Committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. He was a Director of Memorial Hermann Hospital System in Houston and has served as Chairman of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Greater Houston YMCA, and the Texas A&M Development Foundation.[1] He also served on the Boards of Baker Hughes Incorporated, and New Jersey Resources Corporation, Currently, Foster is chairman of a private equity fund, and a senior advisor at Tudor, Pickering, and Holt in Houston..
William H.
Flores ’76
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Bryan, TX
William Flores served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Director of Marine Drilling Companies in Sugarland, Texas. He previously worked with Keyes Offshore Companies, American Broadcasting Companies, and KPMG Peat Marwick. Flores earned his MBA in Finance from Houston Baptist University and served as a Class Agent for the Class of ’76.
Velma and Douglas E.
Flatt ’53
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Tyler, TX
Velma Flatt is the Chairman of the Board of ETTL Engineers and Consultants, Inc. and Doug Flatt is President and Principal Engineer of ETTL. Doug also serves as Chairman of the Southern Division of the American Council of Independent Laboratories. He has several professional awards and is a Past President of both the Texas Council of Engineers and the Tyler-Smith County A&M Club. Velma served as Secretary –Treasurer of ETTL for 28 years.