Texas Ag commissioner to address PEP annual meeting

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples will deliver the keynote address at the Pineywoods Economic Partnership's annual banquet and membership meeting on Thursday, March 1, in Lufkin.

The event will be held at the Pitser Garrison Civic Center. Areception will start at 6 p.m, followed by dinner and Staples' remarks at 6:45 p.m.

Staples was elected Texas Commissioner of Agriculture in November 2006. Prior to being elected to that position, he served as a state senator for six years, state representative for 3 terms, and was on the Palestine City Council. As head of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Staples is responsible for an agency with a budget of more than $80 million and 500 full time employees.

"We are excited Commissioner Staples will be joining us for this special evening," said Trent Ashby, PEP's Executive Director. "Whether it's rural economic development, nutrition, marketing or any other program under the purview of the Texas Department of Agriculture, his office is of vital importance to those who live in our region. We look forward to hearing his remarks, as well as expressing our appreciation to him for all he has done to help this region meet our unique and diverse needs."

The PEP banquet will also include the presentation of the prestigious Silver Bucket Award sponsored by First Bank and Trust East Texas. The Silver Bucket Award is given annually to an individual or group who has made significant contributions to help the region during the past year.

PEP is a nonprofit, 12- county economic development organization. The partnership, formerly known as the Deep East Texas Development Association, was founded in 1960 and has members in Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity and Tyler counties.