Board of Directors
Our board members represent a diverse mix of Texas industries and regions. They bring a wealth of experience and perspective, and they understand that our mission is unique in today's market.
The governor, with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate, appoints five of the nine directors, including the chair. Policyholders elect the other four directors.
Bob Barnes, Chairman • appointed
Mr. Barnes, Granbury, Texas, is chairman of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors; he was appointed to the board in 2007. He currently owns Vision Asset Mgm’t Ltd., Multi Concepts Ltd. and was partner, president and CEO of Schlotzsky’s Deli, a multinational restaurant chain. He serves on the Board of Directors and is a former state president of the Texas Restaurant Association. He is former chairman of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance and the Texas Motor Vehicle Board, and he was a founding member of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Development Board.
Mr. Barnes, Granbury, Texas, is chairman of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors; he was appointed to the board in 2007. He currently owns Vision Asset Mgm’t Ltd., Multi Concepts Ltd. and was partner, president and CEO of Schlotzsky’s Deli, a multinational restaurant chain. He serves on the Board of Directors and is a former state president of the Texas Restaurant Association. He is former chairman of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance and the Texas Motor Vehicle Board, and he was a founding member of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Development Board.
Linda Foster-Smith, Vice Chair • appointed
Mrs. Foster-Smith, Georgetown, Texas, is vice chair of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors; she was appointed to the board in 2008. She is retired from AT&T, where she served for 37 years, the last 15 years as director of external affairs for the Permian Basin. Mrs. Foster-Smith is a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Midland Independent School District, a former member and chairwoman of the Midland Chamber of Commerce, and former board chairwoman and campaign chairwoman for the United Way of Midland. She is former board secretary for the Permian Basin Community Center and past board president of the Midland Independent School District’s Educational Foundation.
Mrs. Foster-Smith, Georgetown, Texas, is vice chair of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors; she was appointed to the board in 2008. She is retired from AT&T, where she served for 37 years, the last 15 years as director of external affairs for the Permian Basin. Mrs. Foster-Smith is a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Midland Independent School District, a former member and chairwoman of the Midland Chamber of Commerce, and former board chairwoman and campaign chairwoman for the United Way of Midland. She is former board secretary for the Permian Basin Community Center and past board president of the Midland Independent School District’s Educational Foundation.
Jay Eisen, Secretary • appointed
Mr. Eisen, Beaumont, Texas, is secretary of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors. He was appointed in 2008 to fill a vacant position, and he was reappointed in 2011. Mr. Eisen is a longtime Texas Mutual policyholder. He is president of Sampson Steel Corp. in Beaumont. Mr. Eisen is a member of the Political Advisory Committee for the Texas Association of Business, a former member of the association’s statewide board and former chairman of the association’s Southeast Chapter.
Mr. Eisen, Beaumont, Texas, is secretary of Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors. He was appointed in 2008 to fill a vacant position, and he was reappointed in 2011. Mr. Eisen is a longtime Texas Mutual policyholder. He is president of Sampson Steel Corp. in Beaumont. Mr. Eisen is a member of the Political Advisory Committee for the Texas Association of Business, a former member of the association’s statewide board and former chairman of the association’s Southeast Chapter.
Bernie Francis • elected
Mr. Francis, Carrollton, Texas, was elected to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 2009. He is owner and CEO of Addison-based Business Control Systems LP and Dallas-based First Class Caregivers Inc. He is a member of the board of Senior Quality Lifestyles Corp. and of Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas. Mr. Francis serves on the Executive Committee of the Texas Business Leadership Council. He is past chairman of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and former chairman of the Texas State Technical College Board of Regents. He served three terms on the Carrollton City Council in the 1990s.
Mr. Francis, Carrollton, Texas, was elected to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 2009. He is owner and CEO of Addison-based Business Control Systems LP and Dallas-based First Class Caregivers Inc. He is a member of the board of Senior Quality Lifestyles Corp. and of Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas. Mr. Francis serves on the Executive Committee of the Texas Business Leadership Council. He is past chairman of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and former chairman of the Texas State Technical College Board of Regents. He served three terms on the Carrollton City Council in the 1990s.
Eric Oliver • elected
Mr. Oliver, Abilene, Texas, was elected to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 2009. He is founder and president of Softvest LP in Abilene; president of Midland Map Co. LLC in Midland; founder and principal of TenTex Music LLC in Nashville; founder and principal of Geologic Research Centers LLC, with libraries in Abilene and Midland; and founder and owner of Caprock Title Co. in Midland. He is chairman of Midland-based AMEN Properties Inc., and he serves on the board of ACIMCO, Abilene Christian University’s endowment management company. He is a former member of the Abilene Community Foundation’s investment committee.
Mr. Oliver, Abilene, Texas, was elected to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 2009. He is founder and president of Softvest LP in Abilene; president of Midland Map Co. LLC in Midland; founder and principal of TenTex Music LLC in Nashville; founder and principal of Geologic Research Centers LLC, with libraries in Abilene and Midland; and founder and owner of Caprock Title Co. in Midland. He is chairman of Midland-based AMEN Properties Inc., and he serves on the board of ACIMCO, Abilene Christian University’s endowment management company. He is a former member of the Abilene Community Foundation’s investment committee.
Danny Phillips • elected
Mr. Phillips, Dallas/Fort Worth, was elected to Texas Mutual’s Board of Directors in 2012. He manages his own financial investments, and he is also the owner of the Diamond P. Ranch, a registered Texas Longhorn cattle operation. In addition, Mr. Phillips serves as Board Chairman for the Fortress Youth Development Center in Fort Worth, and he serves on the Board of Regents at Pepperdine University, the Investment Board of Abilene Christian University, the Board of Directors of Taigan.com, and the Board of Directors of Ministry Ventures.
Mr. Phillips, Dallas/Fort Worth, was elected to Texas Mutual’s Board of Directors in 2012. He manages his own financial investments, and he is also the owner of the Diamond P. Ranch, a registered Texas Longhorn cattle operation. In addition, Mr. Phillips serves as Board Chairman for the Fortress Youth Development Center in Fort Worth, and he serves on the Board of Regents at Pepperdine University, the Investment Board of Abilene Christian University, the Board of Directors of Taigan.com, and the Board of Directors of Ministry Ventures.
Delia Reyes • appointed
Mrs. Reyes, Dallas, Texas, was appointed to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 2005 and reappointed in 2011. She is the first woman to have chaired the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and she is among only a dozen Hispanic women in the country to have served on the board of a Fortune 500 company. She has been president and CEO of Reyes Consulting Corp. since 1992, and she is CEO of Adrian Information Strategies, a subsidiary of Reyes Consulting. She is a former member of the Board of Regents for Texas Woman’s University. She is a director of the Cuban American National Council, and she is past chairwoman of the Community Council of Greater Dallas.
Mrs. Reyes, Dallas, Texas, was appointed to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 2005 and reappointed in 2011. She is the first woman to have chaired the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and she is among only a dozen Hispanic women in the country to have served on the board of a Fortune 500 company. She has been president and CEO of Reyes Consulting Corp. since 1992, and she is CEO of Adrian Information Strategies, a subsidiary of Reyes Consulting. She is a former member of the Board of Regents for Texas Woman’s University. She is a director of the Cuban American National Council, and she is past chairwoman of the Community Council of Greater Dallas.
John Swanson • appointed
Mr. Swanson, Frisco, Texas, was appointed to Texas Mutual’s board of directors in 2012. He has nearly 20 years of corporate finance experience. He currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Republic Energy, Inc. Mr. Swanson is also a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, past technical reviewer of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and a past trainer for Junior Achievement of Midland.
Mr. Swanson, Frisco, Texas, was appointed to Texas Mutual’s board of directors in 2012. He has nearly 20 years of corporate finance experience. He currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Republic Energy, Inc. Mr. Swanson is also a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, past technical reviewer of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and a past trainer for Junior Achievement of Midland.
George Wesch Jr., • elected
Mr. Wesch, San Antonio, Texas, was appointed to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 1996. In 2007, he became an elected board member. He has been CEO of Mission City Container Inc. in San Antonio for nearly 30 years. Mr. Wesch is a member of, and has previously served on the boards of, the San Antonio Manufacturers Association and the Rotary Club of San Antonio. He is also a member and past president of the San Antonio Executives Association, and former board member of the Bandera Independent School District and Bandera County Fresh Water Supply District #1. Mr. Wesch serves as an elder at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio.
Mr. Wesch, San Antonio, Texas, was appointed to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s Board of Directors in 1996. In 2007, he became an elected board member. He has been CEO of Mission City Container Inc. in San Antonio for nearly 30 years. Mr. Wesch is a member of, and has previously served on the boards of, the San Antonio Manufacturers Association and the Rotary Club of San Antonio. He is also a member and past president of the San Antonio Executives Association, and former board member of the Bandera Independent School District and Bandera County Fresh Water Supply District #1. Mr. Wesch serves as an elder at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio.