Perry appoints three to toll road commitee

Gov. Rick Perry recently appointed three to the Study Committee on Private Participation in Toll Projects, pursuant to SB 792 of the 80th Legislature, for terms to expire Dec. 31, 2008.

John W. "Johnny" Johnson of Houston is chairman of Permian Mud Service, an oil field service business. He is founding chairman and executive committee chairman of Amegy Bank of Texas and past commissioner of the Texas Transportation Commission. Additionally, he is a member of the Governor's Business Council and the Task Force on Charter Schools. Johnson is past chairman of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and past director of Goodwill Industries. He is also a past member of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust and past president of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association. He received a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University.

Robert W. Poole of Plantation, Fla., is director of transportation studies for the Reason Foundation. He serves as a member of the U.S. General Accounting Office National Aviation Studies Advisory Panel and is a past member of the California Governor's Commission on Transportation Investment. He is a board member of the American Road and Transportation Builder's Association Public-Private Ventures Division and the Atlas Society. Additionally, he is a member of the Air Traffic Control Association and the Congestion Pricing Committee of the Transportation Research Board. He received a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Grady W. Smithey of Duncanville is secretary of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition and a retired public administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He served on the Duncanville City Council for 18 years, where he was also a member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council for 13 years.

Smithey was the first president of the Duncanville Economic Development Corporation and twice served as president of the Southwest Dallas County Transportation Committee. He received a bachelor's and master's degree from North Texas State University.