Political People and their Moves

George P. Bush has signed on to serve as the deputy finance chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.

Patsy Spaw, the secretary of the Texas Senate, was named staff chairwoman of the National Conference of State Legislatures at the 2012 Legislative Summit.

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Benjamin N. Smith of McKinney as judge of the 380th Judicial District Court in Collin County for a term to expire at the next general election. 

Perry also appointed Elizabeth Leonard of Midland as judge of the 238th Judicial District Court in Midland County for a term to expire at the next general election.

Brig. Gen. Manuel "Tony" Rodriguez will take command of the Texas State Guard upon the retirement of Maj. Gen. Raymond Peters, who has commanded since July 2009.

ROSS Communications Inc., a strategic communications and public affairs firm, promoted Mona Taylor to vice president. Taylor previously served as one of the company’s senior account associates.

The Texas Governor’s Commission for Women will induct five Texas women into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame: Barbara Smith Conrad of Center Point, Nina Godiwalla of Houston, Mary Saunders of Denton, Anne Lesley Corn of Austin and Harriet O’Neill of Austin.

James "Jimmy" Simmons is retiring from the presidency of Lamar University in January after 14 years in that post. The Texas State University System is starting a national search for his replacement.

Gene McCarty, the deputy executive director at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, is retiring after 34 years at the agency. He's been in his current job since 2005. 

Bob Jackson, general counsel at the Texas Department of Transportation, is also retiring at the end of the month. He's been there for almost 30 years.