Governor Abbott Appoints Four to Texas State Library and Archives Commission

June 22, 2018

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three new members to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and reappointed Commissioner Fenton L. “Lynwood” Givens. Givens will take over an unexpired term set to expire Sept. 28, 2021, and new appointee David C. Garza will finish out a term set to expire Sept. 28, 2019. New appointees Arthur T. Mann and Darryl Tocker were appointed to full terms set to expire Sept. 28, 2023.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is the governing board of the agency with which it shares a name. The Commission ensures that the agency effectively and conscientiously pursues its mission to provide citizens access to the information they need to lead informed, productive and fulfilled lives.

“I am pleased to welcome these new members to the Commission,” said Commission Chairman Michael C. Waters. “They bring a wealth of experience and a commitment to public service, and I look forward to working with them to ensure the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is fulfilling its vital mission for the people of Texas. I also want to thank outgoing Vice Chair Sharon Carr for her 13 years of outstanding service to the Commission.”

David C. Garza of Brownsville is a law partner at Garza & Garza, L.L.P. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and former chairman of its Grievance Committee for the Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, he is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, member and former Executive Committee member of the National Diocesan Attorneys Association, and a former gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Texas Racing Commission. He is the chairman of the Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education, a director of the Valley Zoological Society Endowment Board, former chairman of the Historic Brownsville Museum Association, and former chairman of the United Way of Brownsville. Garza received a Bachelor of Arts in history from St. Edwards University and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law.

Lynwood Givens, Ph.D. of Plano is a private technology consultant. He taught physics, chemistry and math for the past ten years, and prior to that held several positions at Raytheon, including chief technology officer. He is a member of the American Physical Society and Gideons International and a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwestern State University Board of Regents. Givens received a Bachelor of Science in physics, math, and chemistry from Midwestern State University, Master of Arts in physics and a Doctor of Philosophy in physics from The University of Texas at Austin.

Arthur Mann of Hillsboro is the administrator for the Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation. He is a board member of the Texas Economic Development Council, Hill County Go Texas Scholarship Committee, and Hillsboro Independent School District Education Foundation Board. Additionally, he is the third vice president of the Hillsboro Lions Club and former president of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and the Bond’s Alley Arts and Crafts Festival. Mann received a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Sam Houston State University.

Darryl Tocker of Austin is the executive director of the Tocker Foundation. He is a member of the American Library Association and the Texas Library Association. Additionally, he is treasurer of the Texas Book Festival and the Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas and a director of the Barbara Jordan 2010 Charitable Trust. Tocker received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration in finance from The University of Texas at Dallas.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides Texans access to the information they need to be informed, productive citizens by preserving the archival record of Texas; enhancing the service capacity of public, academic, and school libraries; assisting public agencies in the maintenance of their records; and meeting the reading needs of Texans with disabilities. For more information, visit tsl.texas.gov.