UNT System

Gayle W. Strange

Mrs. Strange was appointed to the Board in 1997 and reappointed in 2003. Her term expires May 22, 2009. She currently serves as Chairman. She holds bachelor's degrees in English from UNT and journalism from TWU. She is President of Axiom Commercial Company, a writer and a researcher. She lives in Denton.

Don A. Buchholz

Mr. Buchholz was appointed to the Board in November 2007. His term expires in May 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and received UNT's "Outstanding Alumnus Service Award" in 1999 and the "Distinguished Alumnus Award" in 2001. Buchholz is Chairman of the Board of Directors of SWS Group, a publicly owned holding company. He lives in Dallas.

Charles D. Mitchell

Dr. Mitchell was appointed to the Board in March 2006. His term expires in May 2011. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from UNT (then North Texas State University) in 1961. In addition, he earned his medical degree from Howard University Medical School in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. He is a private practice orthopedic surgeon and a member of the Texas Orthopedic Association and the Dallas County Medical Society. He lives in Dallas.

Robert A. Nickell

Mr. Nickell was appointed to the Board in October 2000 to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed in 2003 to serve through May 22, 2009. He earned his bachelor's and master's degreesin finance from the University of North Texas. He is an independent investor with a history of entrepreneurial success in wholesale distribution.

Gwyn Shea

Gwyn Shea was appointed to the Board in November 2007. Her term expires in May 2013. A certified police officer, Shea attended the University of North Texas and Dallas Baptist University and graduated from the Dallas Baptist University Police Academy. Shea served as Texas’ secretary of state - the top elections official in the state - from 2002 to 2003. Elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1982, she represented the Irving area for the next 10 years. She lives in Irving.

Al Silva

Mr. Silva was appointed to the Board in March 2006. His term expires in May 2011. He earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Texas Lutheran College in 1978. He is general manager and chief operating officer of Labatt Food Service, a business that has become one of the top food service companies in the nation since he took up his current responsibilities in 1981. He lives in San Antonio.

C. Dan Smith

Mr. Smith was appointed to the Board in February 2002 and reappointed in March 2006. His current term expires in May 2011. He received his bachelor of business administration degree from UNT (then North Texas State University) in 1962. He is the president and owner of CDS Capital Group, a conglomerate including C-Koe Aluminum, Inc., CDS Resources Inc., Damar Energy, Diamond Petroleum and ESI Group. He lives in Plano.

Rice M. Tilley, Jr.

Mr. Tilley was appointed to the Board in October 2003. His term expires May 22, 2009. He earned his bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University in Virginia, his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law, and a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from New York University School of Law. He is a senior member of the international law firm of Haynes and Boone, LLP.

Jack A. Wall

Mr. Wall was appointed to the Board in November 2007. His term expires in May 2013. Wall earned a bachelor's degree from UNT, is a director of the UNT Foundation and serves on its investment committee. He is also a member of the board of advisors for UNT's College of Business Administration and the UNT President's Council. A rancher and investor, he previously served as branch manager, partner and senior vice president of J.C. Bradford/UBS Paine Webber of Dallas. He lives in Dallas.