The Board of Directors of the Austin Chamber of Commerce unanimously named James R. Huffines, Chairman of PlainsCapital Bank for Central and Southwest Region and Senior Executive Vice President of PlainsCapital Corporation, as the 2010 Chair-Elect. He will become Chair of the 2,500-member, five-county business organization in 2011, succeeding Barry Mayer, President of Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings, Inc.

“James has proven himself to be a truly dedicated leader who can fuel innovation and take the Austin Chamber to the next level, providing a positive impact on this community,” said 2009 Chamber Chair Paul Bury, President Bury + Partners. “With his experience, his vision and his talent, he is a perfect choice to guide the Chamber into the future.”

The Chamber Board also voted unanimously to name Barry Mayer as Chair for 2010. Mayer was previously elected and announced in 2008 as the Chamber’s 2009 Chair-Elect. Mayer will be the Chamber’s first Chair in over a decade from the tech industry.

Huffines, a Dallas native, has over 30 years experience in banking and finance and is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance as well as the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking held at Southern Methodist University. He not only serves on the PlainsCapital Bank Board but also oversees the Wealth Management and Trust Departments statewide for PlainsCapital.

Currently serving as both Partner and Board Member for privately held, Hester Capital Management and Board member and Partner in Andrew Harper Travel Publications, Inc, Huffines also serves on the board of privately held Energy Future Holdings (formerly TXU Corp), and is the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Huffines has been appointed to two six-year terms on The University of Texas System Board of Regents by Governor Rick Perry beginning in February of 2003. The Board elected him Chairman on June 2, 2004, and he served in that capacity until November 9, 2007, when he was elected as a Vice Chairman of the Board. Reappointed to the board of Regents on February 12, 2009, he was elected serve as Chairman again on April 13, 2009. During his tenure as a regent, Huffines also served on the Board of Directors of The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) and various fund committees.

With an extensive record of civic involvement, Huffines currently serves as Vice Chair of the Regional Infrastructure on the Board of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Executive Committee; he is also on the board of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum; a member and advisory board member of the Texas Lyceum; and a member of the Texas Philosophical Society. His previous associations include service on boards or committees of the Austin Symphony, Austin Caritas and the March of Dimes.

Mayer currently serves as President for Tokyo Electron U.S. Holdings, Inc. He joined the company in May of 1994. Mayer has more than 25 years of management experience in the oil and gas, health care and semiconductor industry. Previous to TEL, Mayer held various senior management positions for subsidiaries of two global companies; Baker Hughes International and Aramark. Mayer has a B.B.A. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Houston and has been on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for the past three years and a member of its Executive Committee for the past two years. He is also a member and past Chair of the Central Texas Technology and Education Executive Council.

In addition to Mayer and Huffines being elected Chair and Chair-Elect for 2010, the Chamber Board named 14 area executives to the Board of Directors.

New directors joining the Board in 2010 are:
David Anderson, Vice President, Hardin Construction
Mark Curry, Community Bank President, Wells Fargo
Debbie Findley, CFO, Humana
Henry Gilmore, Partner, DuBois, Bryant & Campbell
Fred Heldenfels, President & CEO, Heldenfels Enterprises
Steve Kinslow, President & CEO, Austin Community College
Carl Mica, Director of Business Relations, University of Texas System
Ron Meredeith, President & CEO, Lamb’s Automotive
Luis Patino, General Manager, Univision
Leslie Pchola, General Manager, Hilton Austin
Jeff Thomas, Senior Vice President, HEB
Dave Tripoli, Operating Manager, Truluck’s
Michael Vivio, Publisher, Austin American Statesman
Doug Waite, Senior Vice President & CFO, Seton Family of Hospitals

About the Chamber
The mission of the Austin Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for its members. For more information about the Austin Chamber of Commerce and its missions and goals please visit www.austinchamber.com.