A pair of East Texas A&M University graduates were recently appointed to state-level oversight positions by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Bill Avera and Jeffery “JD” Robertson were appointed to the Texas School Safety Center Board and the Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council, respectively, as announced by the Office of the Governor this month.

Avera, a 2011 graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M) with a Master of Science in Management, currently serves as chief of police for Jacksonville, Texas. Additionally, he is the executive director of the Texas School District Police Chiefs' Association, and a member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The board Avera will serve on until Feb. 1, 2028, reports to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Education Agency regarding school safety and security, and advises the San Marcos, Texas-based safety center on its functions, budget, and strategic planning initiatives.

Robertson graduated in 2016 with a Master of Science in Applied Criminology and is a retired major with the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency, with over 27 years of service to the Texas Department of Public Safety. During his time with the Rangers, the Wimberly, Texas resident was a commander of the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group.

The Council is charged with conducting an in-depth analysis of the impact of crime on victims, close relatives of deceased victims, guardians of victims and society. Robertson's term will expire Jan. 31, 2028.