UT Regents elect board chair-WO-man
Health industry executive and attorney Colleen McHugh was chosen Wednesday to succeed five-year University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman James R. Huffines.
McHugh, who is the first female to fill the top regents post, was elected during the group's regular board meeting. Her predecessor was first elected in June 2004 and stayed on until November 2007. He was elected again in April last year.
Gov. Rick Perry named McHugh Texas Public Safety Commission chairman in 2001. She was the first female elected to that commission in 1998. She was added to the regents board in 2005.
Previously, McHugh served as the regents' vice chairman, health affairs committee chair and academic affairs committee member. She worked as the athletics liaison and on the type 2 diabetes risk assessment program advisory committee free credit scores. She also chaired the task force on UTMB clinical operations.
McHugh served as the State Bar of Texas president from 1996-1997. She is currently vice president of compliance, risk management and privacy officer for the CHRISTUS Spohn Health System. She is board certified in labor and employment law and is a member of the highly regarded American Law Institute.
McHugh received her undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and her law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.
Huffines will continue as a board member. Member Paul Foster and Janiece Longoria were named vice chairmans of the board.