Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Julie Ruehle and reappointed Stacey Neal Combest and Ellen K. Ramsey to serve on Humanities Texas, with terms expiring December 31, 2027. Humanities Texas is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and works to strengthen communities in Texas by supporting public programs in history, literature, philosophy, and related disciplines.
Julie Ruehle from Austin is the CEO of the Ruehle Family Office. She serves as a board member of the Austin AI Hub and mentors students on the Executive Committee for the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. She is also involved with WIN Angel Network and Ligo Partners. Ruehle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Houston, an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and completed Columbia University’s executive program in venture capital and private equity.
Stacey Neal Combest from Huntsville previously chaired the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding. She is certified in alternative dispute resolution mediation, belongs to the Texas Association of Mediators, and formerly led Texans for State Supported Living Centers as president. Combest earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UH and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.
Ellen K. Ramsey from Midland works as Public Stakeholder Consultant for Energy Transfer, is a partner at Ramsey Petroleum, L.P., and volunteers civically. Her board service includes positions with both the Midland Chamber of Commerce and Midland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. She is also a Junior League sustainer and PTA lifetime member. Ramsey received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UT Permian Basin.
Humanities Texas operates as one among 56 nonprofit humanities councils across U.S. states and jurisdictions.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott leads executive operations for state government focusing on economic development, education enhancement, border security efforts, community initiatives, job growth support, innovation fostering (official website). This office contributed to record employment levels statewide (official website) while maintaining its main offices in Austin (official website). The governor’s office advances initiatives such as Operation Lone Star for border security (official website) while operating within the executive branch structure (official website).
