In the absence of Cecil Bell Jr., recently elected as representative-elect for Texas House District 3, the Magnolia ISD Board of Trustees appointed Gary Blizzard to complete Bell's term.

The board chose Blizzard at its Oct. 8 meeting from a pool of other nominees. Blizzard is a six-year resident of Magnolia and has lived and worked in the greater Houston area for 25 years. He and his wife, Mickie, have two children who attend Bear Branch 6th Grade Campus and Bear Branch Elementary.

"Gary has been active in the district for a number of years and has participated in the PTO at Bear Branch," said Superintendent Todd Stephens. "He has been a leader in our community."

Blizzard acts as the Executive Vice President of Process Engineering and Product Development at ProSep, an oil and gas product equipment manufacturer. His business background spans 27 years and he earned a master's of business administration from the University of Texas, as well as a bachelor's of chemical engineering from Texas A&M University.

Although the term expires in May, Blizzard said he plans to seek re-election and continue his involvement Magnolia ISD.

"I didn't get into this for the short term," he said. "I will definitely run for election. I'll be in it for however long they'll have me."

A supporter of the public school system, Blizzard said he hopes to help the district advance as one of the state's most accomplished and successful. His wife is a retired school teacher who worked in Klein ISD for several years, which instilled in Blizzard an understanding of the system from a teacher's perspective.

"I look forward to getting a chance to work with [Blizzard] who has a lot of corporate experience," Stephens said. "He brings that experience to the district and will be a great addition."