Leodoro Martinez, Jr. Awarded the John B. Shepperd “Outstanding Texas Local Leader” Award
The John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute held its 28th Annual Texas Leadership Forum on February 1, 2013 at the OMNI Hotel in Austin Texas where two individuals were recognized for their outstanding leadership. Honored during the evening were Leodoro Martinez, Jr., Executive Director of the Middle Rio Grande Development Council and Chairman of the Eagle Ford Consortium who was awarded the John B. Shepperd “Outstanding Texas Local Leader Award” and Texas Senator Leticia Van De Putte who received the “Texas State Leader Award.”
The Outstanding Texas Local Leader award is presented to one individual Texan who has made contributions at the grassroots level, exhibiting the highest level of ethics and personal character to protect the best interests of his community as a volunteer, civic worker or as a local elected official.
John Ben Shepperd was a Texas native who served as Texas Attorney General from 1953 to 1957 and as Secretary of the State from 1951 to 9153. Shepperd served on numerous charitable, civic, cultural and religious organizations. The John Ben Shepperd Institute is dedicated to supporting public and private leadership within Texas. The John Ben Shepperd Institute is part of the University of Texas at Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas.
Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini was instrumental in submitting both nominations to the John Ben Shepperd Institute that were then confirmed by the institute.
Senator Van De Putte addressed the over 300 guests attending the ceremonies on the significance of receiving the John Ben Shepperd Texas State Leader Award.
The event was emceed by Shelby Levins, News Anchor for KMJD TV. Presenters for the awards were Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter for the Local Leader Award and Senator Kel Seliger for the Texas State Leader Award. Dr. David Watts, UTPB President, made the acceptance remarks for both award recipients.
Martinez said, “ It is with great acknowledgement and gratitude to all my associates, staff and the local leaders I work with that I accept this award, but I accept it for all that through their own leadership and creation of partnerships have contributed to making Texas communities a better place to live.”
