(SAN MARCOS) -- The Board of Regents of the Texas State University System today re-elected Dr. Jaime R. Garza of San Antonio as chairman of the board and Rossanna Salazar of Austin as vice chairman. The unanimous vote occurred during the board's quarterly meeting on the campus of Texas State University.
Dr. Garza is currently professor of surgery (clinical), professor of otolaryngology (clinical) and assistant dean for South Texas Affairs at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He served as full professor of surgery at UTHSC, where Dr. Garza was founder and chief of its Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He served on the university’s Executive Committee as associate vice president for The University of Texas Health Science Center’s South Texas Health Affairs.
Dr. Garza is president and CEO of Texas Plastic Surgery and Renew Center at Stadia and is past president of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2011, Dr. Garza was appointed as a regent for the Texas State University System, where he has served as chairman of the board, chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee and a member of the Governmental Relations Committee.
"Dr. Garza brings a unique perspective to the board as a leader for many years in higher education, medicine and business," said TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall. "Under his chairmanship this past year we have made significant gains in enrollment, student success, efficiency and state support. I'm pleased that Dr. Garza will continue to lead our system to even greater heights as chairman of the Board of Regents."
Throughout his academic career, Dr. Garza has placed a premium on his work with future generations of medical doctors and health care providers, and he has spoken extensively across Texas to multitudes of high school, undergraduate/graduate collegiate and professional students. Dr. Garza remains deeply committed to communities where he has lived and worked, notably taking time away from his Texas practice in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to establish a pro bono health clinic in New Orleans.
Ms. Salazar is managing partner of ROSS Communications Inc., a Texas-based public affairs and strategic communications firm that has served domestic and international clients since 1993. ROSS provides services that include issue management, strategic counsel, earned and social media, coalition building, and grassroots development.
Prior to founding ROSS Communications, Ms. Salazar served in 1993 as press secretary to the successful U.S. Senate campaign of Kay Bailey Hutchison. Before joining Mrs. Hutchison’s campaign, Ms. Salazar served as communications director for then-Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry. She was Mr. Perry’s chief media spokesman and served as a member of his senior staff of advisors.
Ms. Salazar previously served as press secretary and chief speechwriter for Governor Bill Clements. Ms. Salazar worked for Governor Clements from January 1987 to January 1991. She began her career as a reporter for Texas newspapers. She was a political writer for the San Antonio Light and a member of the newspaper’s editorial board. Ms. Salazar’s reporting experience in San Antonio began in 1983 at the San Antonio Express, where she covered local government affairs.
Garza's and Salazar's terms as chairman and vice chairman last one year.