Three area business people recently were elected to the University of Houston-Victoria President’s Regional Advisory Board during a time of growth and change for the university.

Keith Williams, a Victoria insurance company agent; Paul Salazar, sales manager for Del Papa Distributing in Victoria; and Dora Rollins Duncan, owner of a Bay City bed and breakfast, are serving three-year terms that began in September.

UHV Interim President Don Smith said the new members add a wealth of different experiences from which the university can benefit.

Don Smith

“I am delighted to have them on the board and believe they will add strength and fresh perspective at this critical point in the history of the university,” he said.

PRAB is UHV’s lead external advisory board. Its mission is to strengthen and advance the university and its programs, and to provide counsel on strategic direction.

Williams is the operator of Keith Williams Insurance Associates. Before he began his insurance career, he was a chemical process operator, rail car inspector, oilfield equipment operator and also worked in cattle ranching.

Keith Williams

He wants to support the president and staff in any area needed to help UHV accomplish its vision.

“With the exciting things happening in the community, I hope to see the university continue to expand and help individuals fulfill their educational potential during my tenure,” he said.

Williams also is a planning commissioner for the City of Victoria and serves on the board of the African American Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Gulf Coast Insurance and Financial Advisors Association. In addition, he is the men’s ministry director at his church.

Salazar, who worked his way from a beginning position to a regional manager at Del Papa Distributing, plans to preach the value of education while he is on the board.

Paul Salazar

“I know education is key, and it wouldn’t have taken me 15 years to reach a managerial position if I had a college education,” Salazar said. He said he can relate to Hispanic youth who may weigh whether to go to college or join the workforce.

Duncan received a degree in nursing from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. She then spent 20 years in the health care and pharmaceutical industries in Maryland before returning to Texas. She and her husband, Wil Duncan, now own and operate Duncan Manor Bed and Breakfast in Bay City.

Dora Rollins Duncan

She is active in community affairs, serving on the board of the American Red Cross and the Bay City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Janet Leatherwood, who has served on the board since 2007, is the 2010-11 PRAB chair. She is vice president and chief nursing officer of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital in Sugar Land. Businessman Richard Weber, the finance manager at Weber Motor Co. in Cuero, is serving as vice chair.

There are 16 voting members on the 2010-11 advisory board, which meets about four times each year.