S. Javaid Anwar of Midland was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Higher Education Coordinating Board for a term to expire on Aug. 31, 2015.

Veronica Muzquiz Edwards of San Antonio and Alan L. Tinsley of Madisonville was appointed by Abbott to the Texas State University Board of Regents. David Montage of Beaumont was reappointed to the board. Their terms expire Feb. 1, 2021.

Carey Patrick, Ronald Hopping and Rene Peña were appointed by Abbott to the Texas Optometry Board for terms to expire on Jan. 31, 2021. In addition, John Coble was named board chairman.

Patricia “Patti” James of Houston and Claude “C.D.” Siems of Houston were appointed by Abbott to the Private Security Board for terms to expire on Jan. 21, 2021. In addition, James was named board chairwoman.

Greg Compean of Richmond and Larry Allen of Mesquite were named by Abbott to the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2021.

Cliff Thomas of Victoria and Elaine Mendoza of San Antonio were selected Thursday as chairman and vice chairwoman, respectively, of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Their terms run through Feb. 1, 2017. Thomas succeeds Phil Adams of Bryan-College Station as chairman.

Katharine Priddy McAden has been promoted to state director for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. She was operations director for Cruz's 2012 Senate before taking the job of deputy state director.

Deaths: Bruce Alger, 96, who when elected to represent a Dallas area congressional district in 1954 became the first Republican congressman from Texas in more than 20 years. He was known for extreme conservative views in his 10-year congressional career.

Nelson Salinas, 37, who was governmental affairs manager at the Texas Association of Business specializing in public and higher education issues. Prior to that, he served stints in the offices of state Reps. Dora Olivo, D-Rosenberg, Roberto Gutierrez, D-McAllen, and Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, D-Alice.

Disclosure: The Texas State University System, the Texas A&M University System and the Texas Association of Business are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.