Texas Border Business
May-2015 – Austin, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Dr. Fred Farias III, a Rio Grande Valley native, to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for a term to expire Aug. 31, 2019. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is responsible for promoting access, quality and cost efficiency in the state’s institutions of higher education.
“I am pleased to have Dr. Farias join the Coordinating Board,” said Chairman Harold Hahn. “He brings a wealth of experience, energy and commitment that will benefit Texas as we transition from closing the gaps by 2015 to our next higher education strategic plan, 60x30TX.”
The Texas Senate confirmed Dr. Farias’ appointment to the Coordinating Board on April 28.
“I look forward to working together with Chairman Hahn, the full board, and the Coordinating Board staff as we help shape the future of higher education in Texas,” Dr. Farias said.
Dr. Farias is a 1980 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, and a 1987 graduate of the Southern College of Optometry where he earned a doctorate of optometry. He opened his first practice, 20/20 Vision Care, Inc., in McAllen in 1988.
Dr. Farias is the immediate past president of the Texas Optometric Association where he has been an active member since 1988. He is also a former president of the Rio Grande Valley Optometric Association and an active member of the American Optometric Association as well as an American Academy of Optometry Fellow.
In 2001, Gov. Rick Perry appointed Dr. Farias to the Texas Optometry Board where he served for seven years, in part as chair of the Licensing and Administration Committee. Farias has also served on The University of Texas (UT) System Chancellor’s Executive Committee, the UT College of Communication Advisory Council, The University of Texas Longhorn Athletic Advisory Council, and co-founded The University of Texas Hispanic Alumni Committee of the Texas Exes in 2001. Dr. Farias received the Texas Young Optometrist of the Year Award in 1998 by the Texas Optometric Association and received the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award by The University of Texas at Austin Alumni Association in 2002.
Dr. Farias is also active in the McAllen community, serving on the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and chairing the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Council. He previously served on the Vannie E. Cook Cancer Center Board of Directors as well as the Rio Grande Valley Arthritis Foundation Board.
