Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Kenny Marchant and Ajay Thomas to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, with their terms set to expire on January 31, 2031.
Kenny Marchant, from Coppell, previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Texas’ 24th District between 2005 and 2021. His public service includes time in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 2005, as well as serving as a City Councilman and Mayor in Carrollton, Texas. Marchant’s professional background is in real estate development and homebuilding. He is currently a member of the Southern Nazarene University Board of Trustees and participates in the Former Members of Congress Study Group. Marchant holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and an honorary doctorate of letters from Southern Nazarene University.
Ajay Thomas, based in Austin, is the senior managing director and head of public finance at FHN Financial, part of First Horizon Bank. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Southwestern University and is an advisory board member at the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at Harvard Kennedy School. Thomas has also served on the board for the Texas Business Leadership Council. His academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Southwestern University, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott leads statewide executive efforts focused on economic development, education enhancement, job growth initiatives, border security operations such as Operation Lone Star, and other community-focused programs according to its official website. Since taking office after his election in 2014, Governor Abbott has guided policies that have contributed to record employment levels across Texas [source]. The governor’s office operates primarily out of Austin at the State Insurance Building [source].
Both appointees will continue their roles overseeing housing policy as part of broader state efforts under Governor Abbott’s administration.
