Becky Ames
Former Beaumont mayor Becky Ames has been appointed as the vice-chair of the Texas Credit Union Commission as of its July 18 meeting.
In December 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Ames and reappointed Karyn C. Brownlee and Jim Minge to the Credit Union Commission for terms to expire on Feb. 15, 2029.
The Texas Credit Union Commission is a nine-member board of private citizens, with four being directors or executives working in Texas Credit Unions and five members of the general public. Ames is a “public member.”
The commission is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Credit Union Department and is the primary point of accountability for ensuring that state credit unions function as a system. The commission derives its authority from Chapter 15 of the Texas Finance Code (cud.texas.gov/credit-union-commission/commissionmembers).
The Commission meets in Austin each quarter in February, May, July and November.
Ames also serves on the Rules Committee, which typically meets the Thursday before the Friday Commission meeting.
Ames noted she was not aware of anyone from Southeast Texas or in the region ever serving on the Texas Credit Union Commission.
“I looked it up and couldn’t find anyone in our area of the state,” she said. “I am also told by some local credit union CEOs that we have never had a representative in our area.”
The vice chair serves at the will of the chair and performs the duties of the presiding officer in the event of an absence or disability. The current chair is Minge.
Prior to serving on the Texas Credit Union Commission, Abbott appointed Ames to the 10-member Task Force for Disaster Issues affecting the Elderly and People with Disabilities for a 3-year term (2020 to 2023).
“I worked with Governor Abbott through many natural disasters in Southeast Texas between 2007 and 2021 when I was mayor,” she said.
Ames of Beaumont is vice president of Strategic Alliances with Griffith Moseley Johnson (GMJ) & Associates, Inc. Before joining GMJ in February 2020, she held executive leadership roles in the hospitality industry, licensed assisted living industry, and as a CEO in hospital administration.
“They (GMJ) wholly support my role at the Commission serving the governor and the State of Texas,” she added.
Ames brings almost three decades of public sector experience, including seven terms as Beaumont mayor and seven terms as a Beaumont at-large council member. During her tenure as mayor, Ames shepherded numerous projects and program initiatives touted to enhance economic development.
She has served on numerous boards and is currently serving on the board of The 100 Club of Southeast Texas, Economic Development Division of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Beaumont.
— Dannie Oliveaux | DannieOliveaux@TheExaminer.com
