John Sharp has served as Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System since 2011, leading one of the largest systems in the country with its annual budget of $9.6 billion. The System’s 11 universities have an enrollment of more than 153,000 students. Eight state agencies also are part of the System. Sharp is a member of the Texas A&M University’s Class of 1972. He worked for the Legislative Budget Board in Austin, then opened a real estate firm in Victoria. His career in public service includes elections as a representative in the Texas House, a state senator, a member of the Texas Railroad Commission and state comptroller.
The Brazos Valley has seen a strong recovery from the effects of the pandemic and is posed for continued robust growth according to renowned economist Dr. Ray Perryman.
The president/CEO of The Perryman Group’s assessment was part of his keynote remarks at the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Marketplace Luncheon, held September 30 at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center on the Texas A&M University campus.
Perryman said the region’s comeback from the pandemic-induced economic downturn was much faster than most areas in Texas, with 80-85 percent of the economy back within four-to-five months.
“Looking forward, we think the growth prospects are excellent because you’re seeing a lot of investment in new retail, facilities and amenities,” Perryman said following his speech. “You’re seeing some great new companies coming to town, particularly some that are dealing with the health and bio science area, growth industries for the future and industries that are very well supported by some of the programs here at A&M.”
Perryman also praised the quality of life offered in the Brazos Valley, calling it a significant advantage for company and talent recruitment. He emphasized a continued community focus on that aspect.
“You turn out a lot of knowledge workers here at Texas A&M,” he said. “They tend to love the place and like to come back a lot, so you’ve got a real opportunity to keep some of those folks here. That creates opportunities.”
As part of his speech, Perryman gave his data-driven assessments on the state, national and global economies and provided an outlook on what is likely to happen over the coming months.
This was Perryman’s second consecutive year joining the BVEDC at a fall event.
As part of the luncheon, the BVEDC and its community partners also presented Leadership Awards to three people who have positively impacted the region, including on the business side.
BVEDC Leadership Award Recipients
Texas A&M University System Chancellor
John Sharp
Owner of Phil Adams Company
Phil Adams
Phil Adams is the owner and president of Bryan-based Phil Adams Company, providing insurance products and services to businesses and individuals across Texas. Born in Bryan and raised near Lubbock, he would return to Aggieland for his education, graduating from Texas A&M University in 1971. Adams served on the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents through three appointments by two governors. His 18 total years on the board makes him one of the longest serving regents in System history. He was Chairman of the Board from 2013 to 2015. Adams has served on numerous boards of directors, including for American Momentum Bank and Baylor Scott & White.
Retired District Court Judge
Travis Bryan III
Travis Bryan III served as the judge for the 272nd District Court from 2008 to 2020. A graduate of Texas A&M University and Baylor Law School, his legal career included time as Brazos County’s district attorney, a criminal defense attorney in his own private practice, and as the administrative judge over Brazos County’s district and county courts. Outside of law, Bryan served on the Bryan City Council and as director of the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center, the Brazos Valley MHMR Center and the First National Bank of Bryan. Currently, he is on the board of Salvation Army of Bryan/College Station.
This was the third event in the BVEDC’s Marketplace Series this fall. The first two were open only to members of the Invest Brazos Valley private investor group and featured a local economic update from Texas A&M University’s Private Enterprise Research Center and a presentation from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Platinum sponsors of the Marketplace Luncheon were:
Higginbotham Insurance
Midtown City Center
Oldham Goodwin Group
Reynolds & Reynolds
Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center