(WACO, Texas) – Two new members of the Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents were sworn in Wednesday, Feb. 5, during a ceremony led by board chairman John K. Hatchel.
Kathy Powell and Ron Widup, who were appointed to serve as TSTC regents along with returning regent Keith Honey by Gov. Greg Abbott last December, were sworn in by Judge Vikram “Vik” Deivanayagam of McLennan County.
The three board members’ terms are set to expire August 31, 2025.
The swearing-in ceremony took place during a private dinner held at TSTC’s Greta W. Watson Culinary Arts Center, where guests were treated to a menu prepared and served by TSTC Culinary Arts students.
Powell, of San Angelo, is administrative director of nursing at San Angelo’s Shannon Medical Center, where she is responsible for emergency, air medical, and trauma services.
She is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association, Society of Trauma Nurses, Association of Air Medical Services and Texas Association of Air Medical Services. Additionally, she is a member of the Boys & Girls Club of San Angelo board of directors and the 2018 Class of Leadership San Angelo.
Powell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Texas Christian University, Master of Science degree in Nursing Administration from Texas Woman’s University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Alabama.
Widup, of Arlington, is vice chairman of the board of directors, senior advisor of technical services and former CEO of Shermco Industries, where he has served since 1983.
He is a former two-term president of the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA), and he is a member of the NETA board of directors and the NETA Standards Review Council. He serves on multiple National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees, and he is chairman of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Recommended Practice for Electrical Safety in Industrial and Commercial Power Systems committee.
He is a past member of the TSTC Regents’ Circle and is on the advisory board for the Electrical Power and Controls program at TSTC.
Widup received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power Distribution from TSTC.
Honey, of Longview, is a retired registered professional engineer and former external affairs manager of AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company.
He is a former member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, and Society of Mining Engineers. He is a board member of the Gregg County Appraisal District, Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority and Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center. Additionally, he is a former board member and two-term chairman of the Longview Economic Development Corp., and he is a former board member and chairman of the Longview Chamber of Commerce.
Honey received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from Montana Tech University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.
TSTC is governed by a nine-member board of regents, who provide a statewide perspective and are appointed by the Texas governor to six-year terms.
The board meets quarterly to provide leadership and enact policies for the successful management and operation of the campuses.
For more information on TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu.
