Governor Greg Abbott announced his initial selection of nine members to serve on the newly established Texas Bicentennial Commission on May 18, naming Houston businessman and philanthropist John L. Nau III as the panel’s chair.
The commission was created by the 89th Texas Legislature to oversee and coordinate the long-term planning, historic preservation, and commemorative activities for the upcoming bicentennial anniversary of Texas Independence in 2036.
The initial roster of appointees includes prominent Texas entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and historic preservation advocates.
According to the Office of the Texas Governor, the appointed members will assume responsibility for guiding the state’s cultural and historical frameworks over the next decade. Chair John L. Nau III, the former CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors, currently serves as the chairman of the Texas Historical Commission and holding a former presidential appointment as chairman of the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
The commissioners also include James Perry “J.P.” Bryan, Jr. of Houston and Galveston, the founder of the Bryan Museum and Executive Director of the Texas State Historical Association. He is joined by Ashley Bowes Cash of Lubbock, a real estate and oil and gas investor who is currently serving her second term on the Texas Governor’s Commission for Women.
Also appointed to the panel are Tilman Fertitta of Houston, the owner of Fertitta Entertainment and the current United States Ambassador to Italy and San Marino; and Joe Gebbia of Austin, the co-founder of Airbnb and the chief design officer at the National Design Studio.
The commission’s regulatory mandate involves cataloging key historical milestones, establishing public educational programs, and collaborating with local entities to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1836 Texas revolution. Additional administrative details and rolling committee updates are expected from state leadership as the commission sets its initial meeting agenda.
According to the legislative framework passed by the state, the commission is tasked with building a statewide commemorative strategy that fully honors the foundational history and legacy of Texas Independence.