Businessman Mike Boyd Appointed to Texas Military Preparedness Commission

SAN ANGELO, TX — Governor Abbott has appointed San Angelo businessman Michael "Mike" Boyd to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission for a term set to expire February 1, 2025, the governor’s office announced Tuesday.

The Commission seeks to preserve, protect, expand, and attract new military missions, assets, and installations. Additionally, the Commission encourages defense-related businesses to expand or relocate in Texas.

The commission grants Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants (DEAAG) from the Texas governor’s office. In 2020, San Angelo-Goodfellow AFB community received $5 million of $14.1 million total awarded by the governor’s office for solar panels and to build out a 5G wireless communications system for the base. Other projects last year included outdoor fitness areas, a military working dog training area, and a hazmat response trailer. The military working dog training area and the hazmat response trailer are shared with public safety organizations in the San Angelo area. For example, we have seen the hazmat trailer deployed to city crime scenes this year.

Boyd replaces Dr. Carol Ann Bonds, former San Angelo ISD superintendent, on the 13-person commission.

The state commission is a key element in ongoing efforts to keep Goodfellow AFB open should a new round of Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) occurs. This is a major challenge as Goodfellow AFB doesn’t have any runways or aircraft stationed there. In addition to having representation on the governor’s commission, community leaders lobby the US Air Force and DoD for more missions. For example, we need to continue to push for all DoD intel training— joint intelligence training — to be located at our base, according to the commission’s 2021 report. Likewise cyber and foreign language training can consolidate here. There is already collaboration between the base and Angelo State University to provide credit towards ASU advanced securities studies degrees for coursework completed at Goodfellow AFB by military intel officers.

Goodfellow AFB growth can be adversely impacted by lack of adequate housing. Goodfellow AFB needs more dorms for airmen and enlisted personnel and we need to continue to fight for affordable housing options for officers assigned to the base.

There is a downside if the needs of Goodfellow AFB are ignored. The State’s grant program goes away if Goodfellow AFB loses DoD importance as missions to accomplish dwindle. For example, a loss of 1,000 or more defense worker jobs at Goodfellow AFB can kill our competitiveness.

The most recent round, Laughlin AFB near Del Rio received the lion’s share of grant money to build anti-hail aircraft shelters for its flight line. The US Air Force predicts Laughlin AFB will grow because of increased pilot training needs to meet the demands of the nationwide pilot shortage. Up north, Dyess AFB is prepping to base the new B-21 bomber. San Angelo has west Texas competition and will have to fight to remain relevant in the eyes of the commission.

Michael "Mike" Boyd of Christoval is the Chairman of Housley Communications, Inc. He currently serves as a trustee of San Angelo Health Foundation, President of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, and former trustee of Shannon Board of Trustees. He was recognized by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce as the Citizen of the Year in 2016. He served in the Texas National Guard from 1974-2005. Boyd received a Bachelor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Banking from Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

Also appointed to the commission on Tuesday was Timothy "Tim" Strawther of Bulverde for a term expiring February 1, 2023. He is the Lead Executive for San Antonio at Lockheed Martin Corporation. He is a member of the Air Force Association, the United States Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, and Rotary International and is on the Board of Directors of I Care San Antonio and The Dee Howard Foundation. Additionally, he is an Honorary Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing and of the 433rd Airlift Wing. He served in the United States Air Force from 1983-2009. Strawther received a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Air University, and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.