Governor Greg Abbott appointed Richard “Carson” Dennis and Elizabeth Thomas to the Trinity River Authority Board of Directors for terms set to expire March 15, 2029, and on March 15, 2027, respectively. Additionally, the Governor reappointed Jerry House, D.Min. to the board for a term set to expire on March 15, 2029. The Authority oversees development and conservation of surface water resources of the Trinity River Basin.

Richard “Carson” Dennis of Dallas is an investment manager at Granite Properties, Inc. He is actively involved with Trinity Christian Academy and Park Cities Baptist Church. Dennis received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University.

Elizabeth Thomas of Fort Worth is an attorney and partner at Kelly Hart and Hallman LLP. She is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, and the New York State Bar. Additionally, she is an alumna interviewer with the Dartmouth College Alumni Admissions Ambassador Program. Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Dartmouth College and Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School.

Jerry House, D.Min. of Leona is the owner of Leona General Store and Steakhouse and the Pecan Grove Café in Leona. He retired after 39 years of serving as a United Methodist Minister. He is a member of the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and the Friends of Fort Boggy State Park. House received a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern University, a Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology, and a Doctor in Ministry from the McCormick Theological Seminary at the University of Chicago.

These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.