Join us for a conversation with State Representative Terry Wilson, Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education and Chair of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Free Speech in Higher Education, alongside former State Representative Larry Gonzales. The conversation will examine the current state of higher education in Texas, the future of free speech and civil discourse on college campuses, and the current events shaping Texas public life.
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Networking Reception
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Conversation
Speaker:
Colonel Terry Wilson, U.S Army (Ret.) (R), Texas State Representative (TX-20)
Colonel Terry Wilson, US Army (Ret.), was born in Odessa, Texas. He is a committed husband and father, and a decorated combat veteran. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and an MS in Strategic Logistics Plans and Management from the Air War University.
Terry retired from the Army after serving over 30 years, where he was a highly regarded senior leader within the Department of the Army. He is well versed in major weapons systems development, as well as command and control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. As a Department of Defense Acquisition Executive, he managed research, development, and manufacturing programs with multi-billion-dollar budgets and partnered in systems development with major corporations and universities.
Terry gained a reputation of exceeding performance expectations while delivering needed capability that was ahead of schedule and under budget. He has extensive experience in providing leadership, balancing budgets, and working with Congress, Homeland Defense, the State Department, and foreign governments. Since retirement, he has leveraged that experience as an advocate for exceptional and talented small businesses, helping them break through bureaucracy to deliver technology to our warfighters.
Terry has been married to his wife, Shannon, for 30 years and together they have two sons, William and Benjamin, who both attend Texas A&M University as members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. William also serves in the Texas Army National Guard. Additionally, Terry supports local education by speaking to students in the schools and serving on special projects.
As State Representative for House District 20, Terry is honored to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education. He is committed to expanding vocational education opportunities for all students, so they can graduate with a degree, be college and job ready with a certificate in hand. Terry also serves on the House Committees on Elections and Redistricting.
In the Special Sessions of the 89th Legislature, Terry was appointed Chairman of the House Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education and was asked to serve on the select committees on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding as well as Congressional Redistricting.
In the past, Terry has also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, which handles issues impacting veterans and emergency response. The committee also oversees all matters dealing with the relationship between the State of Texas and the Department of Defense.
He has also served on Appropriations as Chairman for Article III overseeing public and higher education, which make up 40% of the state budget.
Colonel Wilson is committed to using his leadership experience in government and industry to expand new industrial investment and competitive career training within House District 20 and all of Texas, while lowering the burden on taxpayers.
Moderator:
The Honorable Larry Gonzales, Former State Representative (R-Round Rock)
Representative Larry D. Gonzales has dedicated his career to public service, fiscal responsibility, and effective government. Serving in the Texas House of Representatives from 2011 to 2018, Representative Gonzales became known for his leadership on budget transparency and state agency oversight. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII, and VIII, he helped appropriate funding for 42 state agencies overseeing natural resources, business and economic development, and regulatory programs. He also served as Chairman of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, leading efforts to streamline government operations and improve accountability across state agencies. Before his time in the legislature, Representative Gonzales built a career in public administration and communications, working in higher education and the private sector. A proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, he earned his B.A. in Government and later received a Master of Public Administration and Certified Public Manager credential from Texas State University. Born and raised in Texas, Representative Gonzales has long believed in pragmatic leadership rooted in service, collaboration, and results. Today, he continues to engage in civic and leadership development efforts across the state, drawing on his deep understanding of Texas government and commitment to building effective institutions.