Gov. Perry Appoints Ellzey to Texas Veterans Commission

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Jake Ellzey of Midlothian and reappointed Richard McLeon, IV of Victoria to the Texas Veterans Commission for terms to expire Dec. 31, 2018. The commission is responsible for assisting veterans by informing them of their rights and applying for their entitlements.

Ellzey is a retired fighter pilot of the U.S. Navy with more than 20 years of service. He is the former air boss of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, former commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 143, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller in support of SEAL Team Five in Iraq, and is a former U.S. Navy White House Social Aide. He is also a member of the Tailhook Association and a volunteer of Angel Flight Inc. Ellzey received a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.

McLeon is general manager of Rusk County Electric Cooperative, and is an ordained priest serving the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. He is a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, and the Chemical Corps Regimental Association. He is a member of the American Legion, a board member of the East Texas Electric Cooperative and the Tex-La Electric Cooperative, and is a board member and assistant secretary/treasurer of the Northeast Texas Electric Cooperative. McLeon served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, a Master of Business Administration from Sul Ross State University and completed a management internship at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.