Texas A&M University announced its 2024 class of Distinguished Alumni on Monday as 12 Aggies received the highest honor awarded to a former student.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 1962 and has been bestowed upon just 342 of the university’s more than 588,000 former students, or less than 0.05%.
The honor is awarded by Texas A&M and The Association of Former Students to those who have achieved excellence professionally and made a profound impact on A&M and their communities.
“Distinguished Alumni are a living testament to the power of a Texas A&M education and the strength of our Aggie family,” A&M President Mark A. Welsh III said in a statement. “Their achievements and contributions reflect the Core Values we hold dear and serve as inspiration for current and future students. I’m proud to congratulate the 2024 Distinguished Alumni on this well-deserved recognition. Thanks for being such incredible ambassadors for Texas A&M and Aggies everywhere!”The following 2024 recipients will be honored by The Association of Former Students at the annual Distinguished Alumni Gala on Sept. 20 and recognized at the A&M football game versus Bowling Green on Sept. 21 at Kyle Field:
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Hon. Richard A. Smith ’59 of College Station served in the U.S. Air Force before establishing the seventh-largest real estate company in the nation. He later served as mayor of Bryan and completed three terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
James A. “Jim” Creel ’69 of Fort Worth has practiced law for more than 50 years and has been certified in tax law by the Teas Board of Legal Specialization for over 40 years. He has worked as a CPA in Texas for more than 50 years.
Russel Kent Moore ’72 of Bryan found Kent Moore Cabinets as a junior at A&M. Today, it has over 700 employees with two manufacturing plants in Bryan and 11 design centers across Texas. It reports annual sales of more than $144 million.
Dr. John A. Adams, Jr. ’73 of Wellborn graduated from A&M with three degrees in history before writing numerous historical books, including eight about the university. A captain in the U.S. Air Force, he became president and CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc.
T.C. “Chet” Edwards ’74 of Waco served 20 years in Congress with a focus on improving the lives and education of veterans and their families. He petitioned for increased funding for the Veterans Administration and additional public-private housing.
Thomas B. “Britt” Harris IV ’80 of Austin was president, CEO and CIO of The University of Texas/Texas A&M University Investment Management Company and founded the Titans of Investment initiative at A&M, Baylor University and the University of Texas.
Phil Miner ’80 of New Braunfels founded The Miner Corporation in 1994 with just four employees to be a provider of mission-critical services for material-handling equipment. He also founded SideKick Operators, a strategic investment and advisory firm.
Bradley R. Freels ’81 of Houston is chairman and CEO of Midway Holdings, which developed the Century Square shopping center in College Station and Aggie Park on A&M’s campus. He also serves as executive chairman of investment firm Parkway.
Jeffery D. Hildebrand ’81 of Houston is the the executive chairman and founder of Hilcorp Energy Co., Harvest Midstream Co. and JDH Capital. He is a former student-athlete, with A&M’s Hildebrand Equine Complex named in honor of his father.
David D. Dunlap ’83 of The Woodlands is president of Crystal Beach Oil & Gas and is on the board of directors for Wellbore Integrity Solutions, Quantum Energy Technologies and Prime Solution Services. He previously served on the National Petroleum Council.
Wayne Roberts ’85 of Bryan is president and CEO of Abrigo risk management solutions. He is the lead donor of A&M athletics’ Centennial Campaign with donations to Aggie Park, the Wayne Roberts ’85 Business Building and the Bright-Slocum Football Complex, among other facilities.
Dr. James G. “Greg” Bonnen ’88 of Austin is founder of the Texas Brain and Spinal Center and co-founder of the Houston Physicians’ Hospital. He president of the board of directors for the Medical Strategic Network and has served in the Texas Legislature since 2013.