COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today named Dr. Chester Fehlis director of Texas Cooperative Extension.
The decision, just five weeks after naming Fehlis sole finalist for the position, came during a special meeting of the regents.
“I look forward to leading the agency as it continues to respond to the needs of a changing Texas,” Fehlis said.
Texas A&M University System Chancellor Howard D. Graves called Fehlis a “proven leader” whose leadership will help Extension furthers its mission of service across Texas and the nation.
“Dr. Fehlis knows Extension from the grassroots level up, having served in various capacities from assistant agent.” said Dr. Ed Hiler, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University.
Hiler recommended the administrative change “to enhance the agency’s ability to conduct its outreach education programs.” Hiler continues as head of the Agriculture Program, which includes four other statewide agencies in addition to Extension.
Extension, an agency of the Texas A&M System, maintains programs in all 254 Texas counties, providing research-based information and education for agricultural producers, agribusinesses, consumers, families and youths. Its educational programs focus on issues and needs as determined by local citizens and are aimed at improving the capacity of people to help themselves.
Fehlis has been associate vice chancellor of the Agriculture Program and deputy director of Extension since 1998. He began his Extension career in 1969 as Jackson County assistant agent, then was Extension agent in Victoria and Willacy counties. He also has served as district director, director of statewide county program operations and executive associate director.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1969, a master’s in 1977 and a doctorate in 1987, both in agricultural education, all at Texas A&M.
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