HOUSTON - Gov. Rick Perry today appointed to the University of Houston System Board of Regents three new members: Spencer D. Armour III of Midland; Roger Fleming Welder of Victoria; and Houstonian Welcome W. Wilson Jr., who replaces his father, Welcome W. Wilson Sr., whose term is expiring.

“With their diverse business backgrounds, considerable talents and strong leadership abilities, I am confident that each of these appointees will make outstanding contributions to our board and to the University of Houston System,” said UH System Chancellor and UH President Renu Khator.

“These new board members join us at a crucial time in the life of the university and of higher education in Texas, as we continue to distinguish ourselves as a Tier One university during challenging economic times,” Khator said.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Texas State Senate. Each of the appointees will serve through Aug. 31, 2017.

Armour is managing partner of Armada Gas and Oil. He is a past board member and past president of the Petroleum Club of Midland, and a past board member of Patterson-UTI Energy and the Midland Country Club. He is also a past board member of the Midland North Central Little League and a volunteer 7-on-7 coach at Midland Lee High School. Armour received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston.

Welder is retired CEO of J.F. Welder Heirs, and current vice chair of the First Victoria National Bank board of directors. He is president of the Victoria ISD Education Foundation and Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust; vice chair of the Victoria College board of directors; board secretary of the Victoria Airport Commission; and treasurer, past board member and honorary director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation. He is a board member of the Victoria Performing Arts Center, Victoria Symphony Endowment, and Victoria Rotary Club, director of Billy T. Cattan Recovery Outreach, and a member of the Caron Texas Advisory Board and Texas Christian University Institute of Ranch Management Advisory Board.

Welder also is president emeritus and a past board member of the Victoria Business and Education Coalition, and a past board member of the Victoria Economic Development Corporation, Texas A&M University College of Agriculture Development Council, and University of Houston at Victoria Presidents Advisory Council. He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University.

Welcome Wilson Jr. is president and CEO of GSL Welcome Group. He is a board member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Southwest TIRZ 20, Sharpstown Management District, and Houston Food Bank. He is also immediate past president of the Kinkaid School Alumni Organization, and a past member of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation. Wilson attended the University of Denver.

“The governor has selected three outstanding individuals, and I am confident they have the vision to take the UH System to the next level of excellence,” said Board of Regents Chair Nelda Blair. “These appointees have impressive track records of success, and I look forward to collaborating with them on behalf of the System.”

Blair also praised the leadership and contributions of Carroll Ray, Jim Wise and Welcome W. Wilson Sr., whose board terms are expiring. “I’d like to express my personal thanks and gratitude to each of them for their exceptional service,” she said. “Their service on the board may have concluded, but I know their commitment and passion for the UH System will continue.”

For more information about the UH System Board of Regents, see: http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/regents/ .