Former San Angelo mayor appointed to Texas Transportation Commission

Alvin New of Christoval has been appointed to the Texas Transportation Commission by Gov. Greg Abbott, according to a news release.

The Commission is responsible for governing the Texas Department of Transportation and for policymaking regarding the state’s highway system, developing a statewide transportation plan, assisting the development of public transportation and adopting rules for TxDOT’s operation, according to the release.

"I think it is a blessing," New said Tuesday of the appointment. 

Like local leaders San Angelo Mayor Brenda Gunter and Tom Green County Judge Steve Floyd, New said representing West Texas is important to the Concho Valley and to the state. 

"The ability to get food to the population centers and fuel to the population centers and fiber to the population centers means we need to have really good structure in our part of the state," New said. "And I will have a responsibility to try and communicate that."

U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland, who recently proposed legislation to have the designation of Interstate 14 expanded to include San Angelo, said having New on the commission is important because it decides where the state's transportation dollars are spent. 

Explaining larger population centers, like Houston and Dallas, will get the bulk of money each year, it is important to have someone, like New, who will, "defend rural Texas as his predecessor did," Conaway said.

New is replacing Tyron Lewis of Odessa.

Gunter said she is excited by the appointment, adding she believes it speaks highly of New’s communication skills and, “the Governor believing we need a voice from West Texas.”

Gunter said she has worked with New on transportation issues and believes he will represent the area well.

“Transportation is more than the number of vehicles, it's bigger than that,” she said, adding that she, “wants the conversation to become more about freight mobility.”

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Floyd agreed, explaining there was an effort to get New appointed about three years ago, which New said preempted Tuesday's appointment.

"It is definitely important to have a West Texas voice on that commission," he said, pointing to New's civic service, success in business and heart for the area as reasons he will do well. 

Owner of 4N Ranches, New is the former mayor of San Angelo and the former CEO of Town & Country Food Stores.

He has a long list of participation on local boards and organizations, including former member of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Board, the Concho Valley Center for Economic Development, Texas Restaurant Association, the Wells Fargo Community Bank Board and former vice chairman of the National Association of Convenience Stores.

New is a member of the Texas Tech University Foundation Board and the Goodfellow Air Force Base Advisory Council, while also serving on various councils and committees for Angelo State University.