Austin Resigns as Chair of NET RMA

TYLER — Chairman Jeff Austin III submitted his resignation to the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority to accept an appointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. The commission oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.

In February 2005, Governor Rick Perry appointed Austin as Chairman of the newly formed North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA). During his tenure as Chairman, he was responsible for expanding the NET RMA from the forming Counties of Gregg and Smith, to include 12 northeast Texas counties making the NET RMA the first and only RMA to expand in the state. Mr. Austin helped guide the NET RMA by developing the regional concept of a “bottoms up approach” in meeting the transportation
needs in the northeast Texas region. The NET RMA is responsible for the Toll 49 system which includes the portions of Toll 49 that are currently open and under construction by TxDOT but also the proposed expansion that includes the Lindale Relief Route and an outer loop around the north portion of Longview with connection to Marshall. Toll 49 Segment 3B is currently under construction and on its completion, the NET RMA will take ownership of the entire system due to Mr. Austin’s leadership.

Linda Thomas, will be interim Chair until Governor Perry appoints a new Chair. Thomas is a General Partner at Butter Ryan Partners, Ltd., and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA).

Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. A resident of Longview, she has served as a Board Member on the East Texas Communities Foundation, Kilgore College Foundation and the Liberal Art Council University of Texas at Austin. She has severed on the Development Councils of University of Texas at Tyler and Longview University Center, UT Health Science Center, Good Shepherd Medical Center Foundation, and the East Texas Area Boy Scouts of America Foundation. Ms. Thomas is Past President of the Longview Rotary Club, Greater Longview United Way, and Longview Economic Development Corporation. She served as Past President for the Junior League of Longview, and as Vice Chair and Board Member of the Trustees for Good Shepherd Medical Center.