"With their diverse backgrounds, considerable talents and strong leadership abilities, I am confident that each of these appointees will make outstanding contributions to our board and to the University of Houston System," said UH System Chancellor and UH President Renu Khator.
"These new board members join us at a crucial time in the life of the university and of higher education in Texas, as we look forward to the Constitutional Amendment in support of Tier-One universities that will be put to a statewide vote in November," Khator said.
The appointments of Berry, Fertitta and Hollingsworth are effective Aug. 31, with their terms expiring Aug. 31, 2015. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Texas State Senate.
The 10-member Board of Regents is the governing body of the UH System, which includes UH, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Downtown, UH-Victoria, the UHS-Sugar Land and UHS-Cinco Ranch teaching centers as well as KUHT television and KUHF radio stations.
"The governor has selected three outstanding individuals, and I am confident they have the vision to take the UH System to the next level of excellence," said Board of Regents Chairman Welcome W. Wilson Sr. "They are respected statewide and have the intellect and enthusiasm that the UH System needs and deserves. I am delighted to welcome them to the board."
Wilson also praised the leadership and contributions of Calvin Stephens, Dennis Golden and Lynden Rose, whose board terms are expiring. "I'd like to express my personal thanks and gratitude to each of them for their exceptional service," he said.
Nandita Berry of Houston is senior counsel at Locke, Lord, Bissell and Liddell LLP. She is a member of the American, State and Houston Bar associations, and the Houston Zoo Inc. board of directors. She is a past member of the South Asian Chamber of Commerce, Houston Area Women's Center and Community Family Center of Houston boards of directors. Berry received a bachelor's degree from Mt. Carmel College in Bangalore, India, a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston, and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.
Fertitta of Houston is chairman and CEO of Landry's Restaurants Inc. He is a board member of the Greater Houston Partnership, Central Houston Inc., and Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston Inc. He is also a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee, chairman of the Houston Children's Charity and Houston Police Foundation, and a member of the Texas Heart Institute and Museum of Fine Arts - Houston boards of trustees. Fertitta is a 2004 inductee of the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Houston.
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth of Sugar Land is a partner at Bracewell and Giuliani LLP. He is a member of the American and Houston Bar associations, member and former director of the State Bar of Texas, and treasurer of the Houston Bar Foundation. He is also past chairman of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Pension Fund Board of Trustees, past board member of the Texas Growth Fund, past member of the Lehman Brothers Private Equity Advisory Board and past director of the University of Houston Alumni Association. Hollingsworth served in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He received a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was co-captain of the Army football team, and a law degree from the University of Houston.
For more information about the UH System Board of Regents, see:http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/regents/ .