Following its induction at the Wing Ranch in Montana, the Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research advisory board is gearing up for a transformative 2026. With construction of the Lyon Center's new state-of-the-art facility in Commerce nearing completion, the board is ready to support the center's mission to build a future for gamebirds, train the next generation of gamebird professionals, and transform the gamebird industry.

“This board of advisors brings together an exceptional depth of leadership, policy expertise, and land stewardship,” said Founding Director Dr. Kelly Reyna. “Their guidance will strengthen the Lyon Center's ability to translate research into real-world outcomes for gamebirds and the working landscapes they depend on. We are honored to have their counsel as we enter this next phase of growth and impact.”

Strategic Priorities for 2026

Under the leadership of Board Chair Ted Lyon, board members Randy Kendrick, John Sharp, Pat Crow, Jordan Martincich, Todd Baxter, and Grady Chandler are set to focus on three key initiatives in 2026:

• Capital and Operational Growth: Leveraging their commitment to personal stewardship, members are spearheading efforts to position the Lyon Center as a top-tier charity of choice, a move designed to generate the sustainable funding and growth required to support the center's mission.
• Legislative Advocacy: Board members will advocate for sustainable gamebird research and policy during upcoming legislative sessions to bridge the gap between research and public policy.
• Industry Partnership Development: The board anticipates hosting a series of high-level engagement events with industry partners. These events aim to directly connect corporate representatives and private foundations with the center to foster long-term sponsorships and internships for students.

Each board member is set to serve an initial two-year term, representing the Lyon Center as an ambassador to the community and promoting the Lyon Center's innovative research. Their financial leadership and technical expertise will ensure the center is positioned as a leader in the gamebird industry.

“The challenges facing America's gamebirds demand science-driven solutions and strong collaboration between researchers, landowners, and conservation partners,” Lyon said. “The Lyon Center is uniquely positioned to lead in this space, and I am thrilled to lead the board of advisors that is committed to funding and advancing research and securing a future for gamebirds.”

Three Billion Birds and Counting

Since 1970, North America has lost more than three billion birds. This includes 82.8% of its Northern bobwhite quail population, 70.6% of greater sage-grouse populations, and 30% of ring-necked pheasants. Mourning dove and mallard duck populations dropped 20% and 6%, respectively.

Those losses come at staggering costs. Upland and wetland gamebirds are a big part of the $4.7 billion hunting industry. Additionally, their declining numbers indicate ecosystem strains that can be detrimental to animal and human health.

Expertise and Leadership

The board brings together a wealth of relevant expertise and leadership.

Ted Lyon

Northeast Texas native Ted Lyon graduated from Terrell High School in 1966 and put himself through college at East Texas State University (now East Texas A&M University) while working as a police officer. After graduating with a degree in political science, he attended the School of Law at Southern Methodist University, earning his juris doctor degree in 1975.

For more than 49 years, Lyon has participated in more than 200 jury trials representing clients through complex litigation. He has obtained three of the top ten verdicts in the nation, including a $173.3 million settlement representing current and former Dallas police officers and firefighters in decades-old class-action lawsuits against the City of Dallas. Lyon and his firm also won a $373 million wrongful death judgment in 1999—the single largest verdict in Texas, and the fifth largest verdict in the United States. He has appeared on numerous local and national media outlets, including Good Morning America, 60 Minutes II, NBC Dateline, Texas Lawyer, Dallas Observer, The National Law Journal, D Magazine, and Texas Monthly.

Lyon served the people of Texas from 1979 to 1983 as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, and as a member of the Texas Senate from 1983 to 1994. The recipient of numerous legislative awards, he was named a Legal Legend by the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association in 2019.

His high school sweetheart and bride of 57 years and counting, Donna, has been by his side through it all. They have two children—Ted Lyon III and Payton Lyon—and three grandchildren: Madelyn, Harper, and Turner Lyon.

East Texas A&M recognized the Lyons in 2023 by naming the Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research in honor of their achievements and continued support of his alma mater.

Randy Kendrick

Randall R. “Randy” Kendrick is the founder of Xebec, a national logistics real estate platform. Kendrick has served as CEO since the firm's inception in 1996. In 2021, he acquired Sandow Lakes Ranch, where he serves as chief executive officer of the Sandow Lakes Ranch Venture, LLC. The project consists of approximately 33,500 acres in the heart of the Texas Triangle northeast of Austin. Kendrick earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on real property development and management from the Marshall Business School at the University of Southern California in 1986.

John Sharp

Chancellor Emeritus John Sharp served as the 14th Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System from 2011 until his retirement in June 2025. He is the longest-serving chancellor in the A&M System's history, overseeing unprecedented growth, including more than $11.4 billion in construction projects across all 11 A&M System universities and eight state agencies.

As a staunch advocate for East Texas A&M University, Sharp championed projects like the Lyon Center for Gamebird Research, the Agricultural Multipurpose Education and Training Center, and the Welcome and Student Success Center. Under his leadership, the A&M System's research expenditures grew to over $1.2 billion annually, establishing global reach through major initiatives like managing the Los Alamos National Laboratory and creating Texas A&M-RELLIS, the first integrated education, research, and testing campus in the state of Texas.

Before his tenure as chancellor, Sharp dedicated more than three decades to public service in Texas, including roles as a state representative, state senator, Texas Railroad Commissioner, and two terms as the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Sharp is a 1972 graduate of Texas A&M University who served as student body president and as a member of the Corps of Cadets. He earned a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University and served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Sharp has been honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by both Texas A&M and Texas State University.

The Texas County Agricultural Agents Association honored Sharp as its 2024 Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture, highlighting his support for agricultural research as vital to the state's $8 billion quail and gamebird industry.

Pat Crow

Pat Crow is a native Texan who splits his time between Dallas and his ranch in Palo Pinto County. He is an active real estate investor with an emphasis on residential land development. He has been involved in the cattle business for over 30 years, where he is actively involved in cow-calf production, stocker operations, and feeding cattle.

He enjoys all types of outdoor activities, but his passion is hunting upland birds.

Jordan Martincinch

Jordan Martincich brings a practical, results-driven perspective to the Lyon Center's mission. His background includes extensive experience in executive leadership, board service, fundraising, partnership development, and non-profit strategy.

As a member of the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever leadership team, Jordan advances collaborative upland habitat initiatives that impact upland birds, create outdoor recreation opportunities, and align agricultural productivity with ecosystem services—promoting outcomes in soil health, water stewardship, biodiversity and prosperous communities. In partnership with other members of the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever team, his work is making a lasting impact for gamebirds and future generations.

Todd Baxter

Todd Baxter is a leader with vast experience in business and government. Prior to his current role as group vice president of Government Affairs for Charter Communications, Baxter held public office from 1998 to 2005 as a Travis County Commissioner and as a Texas State Representative. His experiences in both public and private sectors have honed his skills at bringing people together to get things done.

Baxter received his bachelor's in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. He has been named the top corporate lobbyist in Texas by Capitol Inside multiple legislative sessions.

He is an avid outdoorsman who cares deeply about protecting wildlife and habitat. He also enjoys time with his wife, their three daughters, and their golden retriever.

Grady Chandler

Grady Chandler is a proud, fifth-generation Texan whose deep connection to the land was forged at an early age, hunting and fishing alongside his father and grandfather. Those formative experiences instilled a lifelong love for nature and wildlife. Today, Chandler is a nationally renowned trial attorney, licensed in Texas and Montana, and board-certified in personal injury and civil trial law. Beyond the courtroom, he is passionate about preserving and protecting the wild places that shaped and inspired his commitment to ensuring that future generations can experience the landscapes that support Texas wildlife.

Fidel Baca

Fidel Baca is co-founder and former CMO of Dallas-based ExponentHR. Throughout his career in in marketing, business development, and IT services, he advocated for utilizing cloud computing and modern business strategies to help small and midsize companies with the complexities of employee management.

Now retired, Fidel trades the office for the open road, traveling around the country as a dedicated outdoorsman and conservationist. He can be found most days spending quality time with his grandkids and friends or out in the field with his bird dog, Diego.

Join the Mission

Stay connected to the Lyon Center's mission. Visit etamu.edu/LyonCenter, and follow @GamebirdResearch on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.