Texas A&M's interim president is an Aggie graduate, a former state senator, and a former A&M system lobbyist

This podcast contains comments from the October 3, 2025 Texas A&M system board of regents meeting.The Texas A&M system board of regents chooses an interim president at the flagship campus. Regents chairman Bob Albritton of Fort Worth said it was a unanimous selection to bring on Tommy Williams, who is an Aggie graduate who spent ten years as a state senator representing The Woodlands before working for the system as a lobbyist in Austin and a advisor to Governor Abbott.Albritton was the only regent making a comment after the board spent nearly two hours in executive session Friday afternoon (October 3).News release from the Texas A&M system:The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System unanimously approved Tommy Williams, a former state senator from The Woodlands and longtime public servant, to serve as interim president of Texas A&M University.Williams previously held the role of vice chancellor of governmental relations for the Texas A&M System, where he worked to advance System priorities at the state and federal levels. His understanding of higher education policy, leadership experience and ties to the Texas Legislature make him uniquely qualified to guide the university during this transitional period.Chancellor Glenn Hegar said Williams is a thoughtful leader and a faithful Aggie who graduated from Texas A&M in 1978 with a degree in business administration.“Tommy Williams has a deep understanding of the mission of Texas A&M and the values that define our university,” Hegar said. “His experience in public service and his commitment to the Aggie community will serve us well as we continue to move forward.”Williams represented Southeast Texas in the Texas Senate from 2003 to 2013, where he chaired the Senate Finance Committee and played a key role in shaping the state’s budget and education policy. He later joined the A&M System in 2014 and served until his retirement in 2018. He also served as a senior advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott from 2017 to 2019.“I’m honored to return to Texas A&M in this capacity,” Williams said. “This university means a great deal to me, and I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and former students to support the continued excellence of this great institution.”Robert L. Albritton, chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, said Williams brings integrity, experience and a deep respect for the traditions of Texas A&M.“We’re confident in his ability to lead the university with steadiness and purpose while we continue the search for a permanent president,” Albritton said. “Tommy Williams’ respect for the institution, its students, its staff and its faculty along with his understanding of the needs of our state make him the right fit to serve as interim president of our great university.”The appointment comes as the Texas A&M System Board of Regents continues its search for a permanent president.