conservation leader

Houston energy exec to chair Texas parks board

Jeff Hildebrand will lead the organization that protects and conserves Texas parks. Photo via texasbusiness.org

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, or TPWC has named its newest chair, and the job went to a Houston energy executive.

Governor Greg Abbott named billionaire Jeff Hildebrand as chair of the Parks And Wildlife Commission, effective August 31. The organization "manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas and provides hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations," according to a news release from the state. In the announcement, William “Leslie” Doggett was also named to the commission.

Hildebrand replaces Arch "Beaver" Aplin, the CEO of Buc-ee’s, who served as the chair for the past two years.

“I thank (Aplin) for faithfully serving his fellow Texans to preserve the beautiful Texas landscape that spurs our booming tourism industry and protects our state's rich history," says Governor Abbott in the release. "Jeff Hildebrand and William Doggett both bring unique experiences to the Commission and will help ensure that Texans, and out-of-state visitors alike, continue to enjoy Texas’ outdoors and recreational activities for generations to come.”

Hildebrand, the richest person in Houston with a net worth at $10.2 billion according to Forbes, is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Houston-based Hilcorp Energy Company, a privately held energy exploration and production company. He also serves as a director for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Central Houston Civil Improvement, and Central Houston Inc. A University of Texas alumnus, he was formerly the chairman of The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company and served as the gubernatorial appointed vice chair for the UT System Board of Regents, among other roles.

Doggett, another Houston executive, is the executive chairman and founder of the Doggett Equipment Services Group and the Doggett Auto Group, which has 47 dealerships throughout Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico. He's also a UT alumnus and a member of the World Presidents Organization, and a trustee of the Houston Methodist Research & Academic Institute, The Kinkaid School, San Jacinto Monument and Texas History Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston – Rienzi.

This year marks the centennial celebration for the organization, which is led by the commission. Governor Pat Neff worked with Texas leaders to create the State Parks Board in 1923 to create a place where Texans “might go and forget the anxiety and strife and vexation of life's daily grind,” per the website.

Trending News

A View From HETI

The funding will support the construction of the Hertha Chalyx plant. Photo courtesy Hertha Metals

Conroe-based Hertha Metals has closed a $133.65 million Series A round that includes a $65 million equity investment from the Pentagon. The startup uses a one-step process to convert iron into molten steel or high-purity iron.

Khosla Ventures and Doerr Capital co-led the round, with participation from CEV, Pear Ventures, Gates Frontier, Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund, Toyota Ventures, and Siemens Financial Services.

The federal investment came from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program. The program aims to strengthen and modernize the U.S. Defense Industrial Base, a network that researches, designs, builds, and maintains military weapons, equipment, technology, and services.

The Series A funding will finance construction of Hertha Chalyx, a plant that will be capable of producing 10,000 metric tons of steel-grade and magnet-grade high-purity iron.

Hertha says Chalyx will provide U.S.-made material for manufacturers of rare-earth magnets. Today, China controls more than 90 percent of the global manufacturing of rare-earth magnets.

Rare-earth magnets can be found in fighter jets, smart bombs, submarines, satellites, drones and other military hardware. These magnets are also key components in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, computer hard drives, smartphones, headphones, cordless tools and an array of other products.

“Every electric vehicle, aerospace platform, radar system, and data center depends on domestic iron and magnet feedstock suppliers,” Laureen Meroueh, founder and CEO of Hertha, said in a press release.

“Hertha Chalyx closes that gap,” she added. “We are building the supply chain this country needs, and we are doing it by providing a domestic cost-competitive option for manufacturers while unlocking safer and cleaner production.”

Hertha says Chalyx, alongside its Pi100 pilot project, will be the first modern-day “iron and steel innovation complex.” The startup expects to break ground on Chalyx this year.

Since its founding in 2022, Hertha has raised more than $150 million from investors.

This spring, Hertha led the manufacturing category on Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026.

Trending News