James Rodney Gilstrap, an attorney from Marshall, is President Barack Obama's choice for a federal judgeship in East Texas. He's a former Harrison County Judge and is a partner in a law firm and he starts with backing from both of the state's U.S. senators.

Houston's delegation to Austin used to battle over local issues so much that the House was sometimes called the Houston City Council. Now it's going the other way. Former Reps. Ellen Cohen and Kristi Thibaut, two Democrats who were defeated in November's election, are running for the Houston City Council.

Dolores Ramirez, who teaches kindergarten in San Benito, is the new president of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

C. Bruce Malone is the new president of the Texas Medical Association. He's an orthopedic surgeon from Austin.

Move Pete Havel to the Dallas-based Wolf Group, a PR, advertising and marketing firm. He's been with the U.S. Chamber, NFIB and the Associated Builders and Contractors.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed three members to the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. Debra Dockery of San Antonio is president and owner of Debra Dockery Architect PC. Paula Miller of The Woodlands is a financial accountant and president of P.A. Miller Consulting Inc. Sonya Odell of Dallas is an adviser for Wayne O’Neill Associates.

The governor also appointed:

• David Appleby of El Paso and Alan Waldrop of Austin to the State Securities Board. Appleby is a certified public accountant and partner at Pate and Appleby LLP. Waldrop is a partner at Locke, Lord, Bissell and Liddell LLP and a former justice of the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals.
• Five members to the State Board for Educator Certification. Curtis Culwell of Garland is superintendent of the Garland Independent School District. Kathryn Everest of Arlington is director of guidance and counseling for the Fort Worth Independent School District. Suzanne McCall of Lubbock is an elementary school teacher in the Slaton Independent School District. Christie Pogue of Buda is an editorial assistant for the Texas State University Armed Forces and Society Journal. Grant Simpson of Gainesville is dean and a professor at St. Edward’s University School of Education.
• Three members to the Real Estate Research Advisory Committee. Mario Arriaga of The Woodlands is a real estate broker and co-owner of First Group. Russell Cain of Port Lavaca is a self-employed real estate broker. Jacquelyn Hawkins of Austin is a retired information technology consultant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.