October 28, 2019: TRS Welcomes Three Trustees Appointed by Gov. Abbott

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 28, 2019

Teacher Retirement System of Texas Welcomes New Board Trustees after Governor Abbott Appointments

AUSTIN – The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) is pleased to announce that Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed three individuals to serve on the system’s board of trustees. All three board appointments are for termsthat will expire Aug. 31, 2025.

• Harry “Michael” Ball of Argyle, Texas is the Chief Financial Officer at Lewisville Independent School District, where he provides leadership for development and administration of budgets totaling over $625,000,000 annually. He is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs and the Government Finance Officers Association, and he volunteers for the Lewisville Noon Rotary Club, The United Way of Denton County, and the Stilwell Retirement Home. Ball received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Master of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University. Mr. Ball replaces Ms. Dolores Ramirez whose term expired Aug. 31, 2019.
• David Corpus of Humble, Texas is a president of Allegiance Bank, where he is responsible for the profitability, planning, growth, and risk of a Bank Office. He serves on the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors. He has served on the TRS Board of Trustees since October 2013. Corpus received a Bachelor of Applied Science in management and a Master of Business Administration from Our Lady of The Lake University at San Antonio. Mr. Corpus will continue to serve in one of the two positions that state law reserves for individuals nominated by the State Board of Education.
• Robert “Rob” H. Walls, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas is an attorney and private investor and was formerly an executive in the energy, private equity and media industries. He volunteers as an advisory board member of the Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer and Hematology Center and of The Chinquapin Preparatory School. He is a former board member of Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Portland General Electric Company. Walls received a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law. Mr. Walls replaces Mr. Joe Colonnetta whose term expired Aug. 31, 2019.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Ball and Mr. Walls Jr. and continuing a productive relationship with Mr. Corpus on behalf of all our members,” said TRS Executive Director Brian Guthrie. “Mr. Ball’s service and leadership in the public school system as Chief Financial Officer of Lewisville Independent School District will be invaluable to TRS. I am equally confident Mr. Walls Jr.’s expertise in the legal, executive and private investment realms will serve our constituents at the highest levels.”

TRS Board of Trustees’ Chairman Jarvis Hollingsworth commented, “As Chair of the TRS Board for a second time now, I see the value that newly-appointed trustees can bring to the table – as educators, as investment experts. It is fortunate that we as a board have the ongoing interest and commitment from worthwhile individuals who wish to serve our educators in this significant and lasting way.”

Recognizing the two outgoing trustees, Hollingsworth added, “I would like to offer my appreciation to Dolores Ramirez, Vice Chair, and Joe Colonnetta, who chaired the Investment Management Committee. The board and TRS as a whole have benefited from their time and expertise which has included some difficult deliberations around complex issues.”

The new board members will be sworn in and ready to serveat the Dec. 12-13, 2019 boardmeeting. TRS’ Board of Trustees serves as TRS’ trustee of all plan assets and is responsible for the general administration and operation of the system. The board is composed of nine appointed members, who serve staggered terms of six years.