Texas Veterans Commission Awards ETCOG $250K for Veteran Transport with GoBus

In September, Whitehouse Mayor and ETCOG Board Chairman, James Wansley, took the Oath of Office to serve as vice president of the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) Board, the statewide association of regional councils, whose members are focused on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. Wansley serves on the board as a representative of ETCOG. The TARC Board elected Mayor Wansley to serve as its vice president for 2025-2026 during its annual Board of Directors meeting held in Austin last month. "It is my honor to represent ETCOG on the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) board," said Wansley. "Each of TARC's 24-member Councils of Governments operates independently. During our TARC sessions, we come together to explore what's new, what works, and what needs to be improved. As vice-president of the TARC board, I look forward to learning more about successful processes and programs from other Councils of Governments and how they might help ETCOG fill service and funding gaps in our region." Mayor Wansley took office as Whitehouse Mayor in 2020 and has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2022. He became Chairman of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee Chairman on October 1, 2025. “Mayor Wansley is always willing to serve wherever he can, and wherever he serves, he makes a difference!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “In his new role as TARC Vice President, I am absolutely certain he will be an effective ambassador for identifying and implementing regional solutions to the challenges we face, both in East Texas and throughout the State!” Wansley will be joined on the TARC Executive Committee by City of Waco Mayor Jim Holmes, as president, San Augustine County Judge Jeff Boyd as president-elect, City of Caldwell Mayor Pro-Tem Kavon Novak as immediate past president, and Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments, Eric Bridges, as the Executive Directors’ Council Chair. In addition to its annual Board meeting, the association held training throughout the week for elected officials, executive directors, and program staff representing the councils of governments across the state. About TARC The Texas Association of Regional Councils is the statewide association of regional councils whose members focus on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. The 24 regional councils, also known as councils of governments (COGs), are comprised of city, county, and special district members working together to implement cost-effective, results-oriented strategies that address statewide and local needs on a regional scale. www.txregionalcouncil.org

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend. This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams. “This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.” The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders. Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.

Local governments and special districts have been given the opportunity to apply for grant funds from the East Texas Council of Governments, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). To support regional waste minimization efforts in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region, ETCOG accepts applications for its annual Municipal Solid Waste grant funds. The approximate expected total amount of funding is $161,705. The grant application period closed on September 29, 2025. Submitted grant applications are available for public and private review from October 2, 2025, to October 15, 2025. For questions or comments, please contact ETCOG's Economic Development Manager, Lisa Smith , by email or calling (903) 218-6467.

ETCOG is pleased to announce its new Chairman, City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley, the new Board and Executive Committee Officers serving for FY 2026, and Executive Committee members serving a new two-year term. The ETCOG Board of Directors appoints the Executive Committee, which is responsible for establishing the policies, programs, and services on behalf of the Board for our 14-county region. Board Officers Chairman – City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley 1st Vice-Chairman – Camp County Judge AJ Mason 2nd Vice Chairman – Smith County Commissioner Ralph Caraway 3rd Vice Chairman – City of Carthage City Commissioner Tate Barber Secretary/Treasurer – Anderson County Commissioner Rashad Mims “My first experience of working with ETCOG came shortly after hearing Executive Director David Cleveland speak at a regional broadband workshop. The more I worked with David and the ETCOG staff, the more I saw their passion for serving our communities and the critical role Councils of Governments play in the great State of Texas. Our region has only one Council of Governments, and we are blessed that ours is strong and continually working to do more. Each of our Executive Board’s elected officials, representing ETCOG’s 14 counties, is dedicated to continuing to provide innovative solutions and excellent service. As Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year, I look forward to working with the board, the staff, our committees, and the communities we serve to shape our strategic plan. I am looking forward to working with you,” said Mayor Wansley. New Executive Committee Terms Anderson County – Commissioner Rashad Mims Camp County – Judge AJ Mason Harrison County – Commissioner William Hatfield Henderson County – Commissioner Chuck McHam Rusk County – Commissioner Robert Kuykendall Van Zandt County – Judge Andy Reese Wood County – Mayor Randy Dunn New Executive Committee Members *Gregg County Cities – City of Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara *Gregg County Cities has a one-year unexpired term remaining, for which Mayor Ishihara was nominated to fill the seat. "I am grateful for the volunteer service rendered by all of our elected officials and particularly want to thank and congratulate our new Chairman, Mayor James Wansley, and the rest of our ETCOG Officers and Board members for their selfless dedication and service to our region," said ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland. These new officers and board member terms were approved at our September 18 th Board of Directors meeting, where the FY 2026 Budget and Planning Guide totaling $86 M was also approved. The budget is the largest in agency history and represents a balanced budget, with revenue sources matching projected expenditures for all funds. Service program totals are: Area Agency on Aging of East Texas – $4,885,886 Public Safety – $4,363,393 Transportation – $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development – $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions – $279,824 General Fund – $275,584 To learn more about the FY 2026 budget and program goals, visit www.etcog.org/financials .

ETCOG Opens Applications for Veteran-Friendly Community Designation

Deadline for applications September 26, 2025

The ETCOG Board of Directors will meet this month to consider the largest budget in agency history! The proposed budget totals $86,053,366, reflecting an overall increase of $642,472 compared to the prior year.  Program area revenue totals for the budget this year are: Area Agency on Aging - $4,885,886 Public Safety - $4,363,393 Transportation - $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development - $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions - $279,824 General Fund - $275,584 The FY2026 Budget will serve as the financial guide to help each Division meet its respective performance measures and enable ETCOG to continue its efforts to maximize the use of technology to achieve desired service levels, streamline operational processes, safeguard its data investment, and realize our vision and mission. Other business items on the agenda include the chair's report on the year's accomplishments, the election of Executive Committee members and officers, and the presentation of the Chairman's Service Award. The 108th Semi-Annual Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Rusk County Youth Expo Center and Arena in Henderson, Texas. The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. We welcome our members and their guests to register to attend at www.etcog.org/open-meetings .

ETCOG is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Cornejo as the new Director of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA). In this role, Cornejo will lead efforts to develop and coordinate services that support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults across ETCOG’s fourteen-county region. Cornejo brings a strong background in healthcare leadership and military service. He most recently worked as an Account Manager for Humana’s Institutional Special Needs Plan program, where he partnered with skilled nursing facilities to improve care coordination, leading to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions. Earlier in his career, Cornejo served in the United States Navy for nearly two decades, rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and managing budgets exceeding $550 million while leading more than 350 Sailors and Marines. “Adrian’s leadership experience in both healthcare and the military has equipped him with the skills and dedication needed to serve East Texas seniors,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “His background in building partnerships and his deep commitment to public service make him a tremendous asset to our team.” Cornejo shared his enthusiasm for his new role, saying, “It is an honor to join ETCOG and to serve the seniors of East Texas. My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place at the Area Agency on Aging and continue to expand access to services that help older adults and their families live with dignity and independence.” The AAA is administered through ETCOG and is part of a nationwide network created through the Older Americans Act of 1965. It provides a wide range of services, including information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education, senior nutrition programs, housing repair, caregiver support, and Ombudsman advocacy for individuals in long-term care facilities. These programs are designed to help older residents remain active and independent in their homes and communities for as long as possible.