BOD / OFFICERS
Your Rudder Association Board and Executive Committee (L to R): David Dean, Mark Browning, JD Foster, Troy Davenport, Matt Poling, Wendy Letendre, Bill Gutierrez, Lynn Robinson, Donna Hunter, Tom Owens, Andy Hansen and Jose Quintana.
TRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andy Hansen ’71
Dr. H. Andrew Hansen, II M.D. ’71 is a board-certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon with extensive training in phlebology, the diagnosis and treatment of varicose vein disease and related disorders. Dr. Hansen graduated from Texas A&M University in 1971 and medical school at Texas Tech in 1975. In addition to his medical training, Dr. Hansen received an MBA from Texas A&M University in 2002.
While an undergraduate student @ TAMU, he served as Lt. Col. Commander 2nd Battalion, Corps of Cadets 70-71, Cadet Sgt. Major, 2nd Battalion, 69-70 as well as serving in the Ross Volunteers. He has continued to support his university by serving as a Trustee of the Texas A&M Foundation from 92-99, (chairman 95-96), board member of the Association of Former Students from 85-91, (President in 90), Corps of Cadets Development Council, Endowed 12th Man Scholarship in 85, and established the Hansen Memorial Fountain in 1989.
Dr. Hansen currently serves as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at TAMU while maintaining a medical practice in The Woodlands. He and his lovely wife Kathy make their home in College Station where they enjoy their five adult children: Meredith ’16, Andrew ’17, Judge ‘19, Harris ’21, and Margo’23.
The Rudder Association is proud to have a great Aggie with a wealth of experience and leadership as a member of our board of directors.
Jose Quintana ’86
Jose Quintana '86 is the President and Founder of Advent GX, an international community and economic development company that provides strategy development and technology augmented solutions for underserved urban and rural communities. As a lifelong entrepreneur, Mr. Quintana has started several successful companies and has acted as consultant to many of the world's top corporations including Nokia, Sprint, Qualcomm, Frito-Lay, Schering-Plough, Disney, Lockheed, Sun Microsystems, Verizon, and Novartis International.
In 2007 Jose founded the Innovation Underground, a business and technology incubator that produced several local efforts including the redevelopment of the Grand Stafford Theater (the oldest building in Historic Downtown Bryan), IU Records (a music record label for young and developing musicians), and recently co-founded South Main Recordings, a new high quality recording studio to serve top national and international artists.
Mr. Quintana moved from Mexico to Texas to attend Texas A&M University where he studied computer science, mathematics, and statistics, graduating in 1986. In 2018, he was honored with the Texas A&M University Department of Computer Science and Engineering’s Distinguished Former Student Award. As a student, he was active with intramural sports, the international students association, and enjoyed spending time at the Dixie Chicken between classes.
Today he remains involved with Texas A&M, serving as lecturer and mentor in the Texas A&M University McFerrin Center Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, guest lecturing, and mentoring student entrepreneurs. He is an active Advisory Board Member for the Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy.
Mr. Quintana and his wife Joan ’92 live in Bryan, Texas where they are enjoy frequent visits from their four grandchildren and five adult children Jose, Chelsea ’13, Victoria ’17, Cole, and Emma ’20.
Lynn Robinson '86
A lifelong Texas resident and fourth-generation Houstonian, Lynn currently resides in College Station with her husband Rob, and their two dogs. Their daughter, Holley graduated from Texas Tech. Lynn is a class agent for '86. In 2017, she was nominated and selected as a Fish Camp Namesake, a role in which she served as a mentor for freshmen. She still enjoys keeping in touch with many of her counselors and freshman campers.
Lynn is an experienced professional with a diverse marketing, sales, and international exchange programs background. She is committed to leveraging her skills to advance TRA’s mission and objectives. Before her work in the non-profit sector, Lynn worked in marketing and sales, primarily in the tech and software industry. She spent over a decade with Compaq Computer Corporation in various roles, including Event/Tradeshow Manager and Reseller Sales Consultant. Lynn's received a BBA in Management from Texas A&M. University.
She has been involved in the Texas A&M community throughout her academic career and beyond. As a student, she was active in various activities and societies. She served as Social Chairman for Alpha Delta Pi, was a Pi Kappa Phi Sweetheart, participated in the Student Conference on National Affairs (SCONA), played volleyball intramurals, was a member of the Horsemen’s Association and was McFadden Hall’s Bonfire Captain.
She is a member of the Brazos County A&M Club and has volunteered on both the Coaches Night and Aggie Muster committees. Lynn plays volleyball on the A&M Club recreational team. She recently completed her Brazos County Master Gardener certification. Lynn enjoys attending Aggie sporting events, traveling, landscape photography, riding horses, and listening to live music. Her other love is snow skiing. She is a Gray Wolves Ski Club member in the San Juan Mountains. Lastly, she works with high school exchange students who come to study abroad helping find volunteer host families for them to live with during their school year.
With her experience and commitment to Aggie core values, Lynn brings invaluable expertise to her role on The Rudder Association board.
David Dean '76
David Dean graduated from Texas A&M with the Centennial Class of 1976 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering Electronics Technology and went on to a 20-year career as a Marine Officer. While a student, he was very active in the Corps of Cadets and was selected as Commanding Officer of W-1. During his senior year, W-1 was fully integrated into the Corps participating in all Corps Trips as well as Aggie Bonfire. David worked tirelessly to make sure the transition was successful despite the many doubters. Additionally, Davide was the President of the Semper Fi, an organization for aspiring USMC cadets and Commanding Officer of Recon Company, an extra-curricular organization where cadets honed their USMC
Officer skills in the field.
After graduation, David reported to Basic Training in 1976, and then moved on to flight school graduating as a jet pilot in April 1979. He transitioned to the F4 Phantom at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI. He then transitioned to the F/A 18 Hornet and attended “Top Gun” before moving on to the USMC Command and Staff College and participated in Desert Storm. His next assignment would be as Commanding Officer of the VMFA 451 Warlords in Beaufort, SC where he retired from the USMC and mover back to Texas in 1996.
Upon his return to Houston, he worked in the Aerospace and Space industry as a Project Manager for multiple pieces of hardware that flew on the space shuttle and International Space Station. He resumed his service to TAMU by becoming a member of the Corps of Cadets Association Board of Directors, purchased season tickets for football and spent more time on and around campus. David lives in the Dickinson area and has a daughter and son, Ashlye and Pace are class of ’99 and ’04, Pace is a Lt. Colonel in the US Army.
David’s hobbies include camping and fishing. I have many fond memories of my time at A&M, but the most memorable were leading W-1 in the marsh-ins and Corps Trips. It was a great honor and privilege to lead those fantastic and brave young ladies as they changed our Corps of Cadets forever.
TRA OFFICERS
A practicing family physician in College Station, Matt Poling '90, graduated Texas A&M as the Earl Rudder Outstanding Graduate in 1991 after serving as a Fish Camp counselor, Aggie Muster Committee member, and Corps Commander. After medical school, he served as Chief Resident in Waco, Texas before entering the US Air Force. He received the Air Expeditionary and Commendation medal before separating from the Air Force at the rank of Major in 2001. He later served the US Army in Germany as a family physician and is currently a private practice physician and Assistant Professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Matt and his lovely wife Ashli currently make their home in College Station along with their four children: two biological, one adopted internationally and one adopted through Texas Foster Care system. He is an active member of Grace Bible Church and maintains a blog at The-Beagle.com.
One of Matt’s favorite memories at A&M was exploring the steam tunnels with the class of ‘90 student body president & his Squadron 10 buddies after bonfire during his fifth year (victory lap).
Matt writes: "It has been my privilege to follow Joe Bourgeois ’89 in serving as The Rudder Association president since August 2022. I am blessed to live south of campus in the shadows of Kyle Field on the same street I lived on my fish year, in Dorm 4. My late father was in the Aggie Band class of ’69. Our oldest daughter will graduate from A&M this spring and our youngest son will move across George Bush Drive to the Quad in the Fall. This is home. We’re not going anywhere.
I love living with Aggies old and new. I see them as patients, know them as neighbors, teach them as an adjunct professor, and mentor them in our church. They’re special, but they have been infused with a certain hubris – that the way to impact the world is to change it. I have a long list of things that need to change at Texas A&M and in the world. But we also need to remember that the most important service that we can perform for our culture and for future generations may be to humbly preserve and pass down the noble heritage we have been bequeathed. This way the Spirit of Aggieland, which has nourished generations before, will continue to bless generations to come."
Matt Poling '90 - President
Donna Hunter '86 - Secretary
Donna Hunter is a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’86 Education Major who has stayed close to her Aggie Family since attending back in the 80’s. Married to the love of her life, Tommy Hunter ’84, she has two grown children FTAB class of ’17 and TAMU/TAMUCC Nursing Grad ’20. Since the 80’s she has been a working teacher, stay-at-home-mom, hospice nurse, then working teacher again. She and husband Tommy make their home in the Woodlands, Texas. Donna was an Aggie long before she set foot on the campus in College Station, but she ‘found her people’ when she joined the Aggie Family and could finally put a name on selfless service to which we are all called. Since then, she has been privileged to follow her passions, most of which involve Texas A&M.
A member of her local A&M Club, local Aggie Moms Club, Lifetime Member (and founding family) of Quad Moms, she shares her passion and dedication to Texas A&M regularly. Currently a board member and workhorse for three additional 501c3 charitable organizations, she manages a scholarship program that gives over $60,000 a year to high school seniors headed to Texas A&M in College Station each year through her local A&M Club. As you can see, the force runs deep in this one.
Why The Rudder Association? Donna writes, "My friend called me up and said, 'Donna, they are taking Sully down!' Cancel culture had come to call and they were descending on Academic Plaza. Sully had offended them somehow, but he was only a statue, and the real offender was Aggie Core Values and Traditions. In a flash, the water, chairs, and Aggie gear were loaded, and we were on the road. If they were coming to attack MY Aggieland, they were going to have to come THROUGH me first. We arrived on campus in the heat of summer 2020. We expected to see angry students, corps members, our association, and Ol’ Ags defending Sully. What we saw was unexpected. We saw bomb sniffing dogs, sharp shooters on rooftops, buses of NON-Aggie students unloading in front of the library with their foul signs and foul language.
What we had expected to see standing up against these invaders, we did not. Students ducked their heads and scurried away, afraid of the conflict, afraid of being cancelled. Where were the Ol’ Ags? Afraid of losing jobs, pensions, positions in the community. Where were the corps? Home for the summer. Where was my association? Hiding. It suddenly dawned on me: IT IS ME! It is us! If we fail to defend Sully now and give in to cancel culture, they will move on, like the locusts they are, until they devour every single Tradition and Core Value that makes us who we are. We stood tall and the Sully question was finally settled. More importantly, Aggies signaled that they would not be cancelled like every other school. Since that summer, The Rudder Association has developed into a 501c3 organization whose main goal is to ‘put the Aggie back in Aggieland’. We act as a watchdog over Texas A&M, her Core Values and Traditions. Much has been accomplished but we have miles left to go and we are one of three main organizations in the country providing pushback on this cancel culture movement that seeks to destroy values and traditions."
J.D. Foster '10 - Legal Officer
JD Foster, class of 2010, is a named partner with Foster Massengill, located in Ellis County, Texas handling civil litigation, business, small estates, and transactional real estate, in addition to owning a Fee Office for Lawyers Title Company. He serves as the legal officer and founding member of The Rudder Association. While at Texas A&M University, he served as CO for Squadron 20, the pre-professional outfit in the Corps of Cadets and in the Ross Volunteers. He and his lovely wife Andrea are parents to daughter Ansley (age 7) and son Lawson (age 3).
Why The Rudder Association? Over the last ten years or so, JD recognized that it would be necessary to have an organization of former students and interested parties that would hold the University and its attendant organizations accountable for upholding and maintaining the culture, values, and traditions of Texas A&M University. TRA was forged by fire but will be around for as long as Ol’ Ags defend their school.
An Interesting Fun Fact: The saber he carried as a ‘Zip’ in the Corps was a “pass down” from his father, Class of ’74, which, itself, was a gift from his buddies when his original saber was stolen out of his truck at a wedding in LA. This saber was the last saber made with Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College on the blade. The saber and scabbard both bear his and his dad’s nicknames and class years: Fearless Foster, Class of 1974 and Lone Star Foster, Class of 2010.
A few of JD’s fondest memories in Aggieland: Getting the news he had been selected to the Ross Volunteers; getting the news he had been selected as CO for his unit, earning Corps Brass his fish year, and his fish old lady singing ‘Just Keep Swimming’ (the song from Finding Nemo) whenever things got rough and lastly, finding out that almost all of Class of ‘11 of his outfit went on to professional careers.
Wendy Letendre '90 - Office Manager
Wendy Letendre graduated Texas A&M in 1990 with a BS in Psychology and in 1992 with a Master of Public Administration concentrating in Human Resources Management. Wendy is married to Scott Letendre ’90, a former Squadron 10 cadet. Wendy and Scott lived in Houston and The Woodlands for 15 years, where Wendy worked as a Human Resources Director in banking until 2000, when she decided to come home to raise their three children, Brandon ’19 (a former Squadron 17 cadet), Madison ’23, and Christian. While living in The Woodlands, Wendy volunteered on scholarship committees and was the Event Coordinator for the Montgomery County A&M Club.
In 2007 Scott and Wendy decided to move to College Station to live the Aggie dream. College Station has not disappointed, as it is a fantastic place to raise a family while being immersed in the Aggie way of life. For the past 16 years, she has volunteered for multiple PTO boards, school district committees, directed fundraising for athletic booster clubs, served in YMSL (a philanthropic organization for sons and mothers to volunteer in the community they live), and mediated at the Dispute Resolution Center in Bryan.
Wendy arrived at Texas A&M as a small-town girl from Hutto, TX and she found her niche rather quickly. Wendy lived on campus in several dorms – she is especially proud of being among the first women to live in the infamous Davis-Gary Hall. She worked as a Resident Advisor and Director throughout her time in school. The ladies of Davis-Gary returned the college pranks as good as they got from the Men dorms that surrounded DG. The best part of living on campus was being immersed in Aggie traditions 24/7, working Bonfire on campus, and meeting many lifelong friends. Wendy also participated in RHA, Student Government, and academic clubs, as well as making the short walk across the street to Northgate on a regular basis. Living on Northside had its benefits!
Wendy is the Office Manager for The Rudder Association and she focuses on maintaining the administrative aspects for Rudder. She joined the team at TRA to support the Aggieland we all love – a university focused on loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, selfless service, and respect. Respect for the traditions we all hold so dear. Aggieland is a special place, and it needs to be preserved for our children and future Aggie generations.
Mark Browning '88
Mark Browning '88 - Development
Mark S. Browning graduated Texas A&M in 1988 with a B.B.A. in Finance and is married to Nancy Hoover Browning ’90. He holds the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor professional designation. Originally from Beaumont, Mark and his family relocated from McAllen, TX back to Brazos County in 2010, where they raised their three children, including daughters Aggie class of ’16 and ’20.
While at A&M, Mark was involved in Student Government as a student senator and head of
the student lobby group. Post A&M, Mark has been a Club President, Muster Chair and scholarship chair in the cities where he worked and lived. He has spoken at Musters in the Midwest and throughout Texas.
Mark is currently employed by Extraco Banks as a Senior Vice President and Trust Officer. He believes in the preservation of Texas A&M’s traditions that make it so unique and joined TRA in 2021 to help it in these efforts. With TRA, Mark will help lead the development efforts for scholarships and other financial support.
Fun fact: Mark met Nancy while at Texas A&M and they were married in All Faith’s Chapel. His best memories of his days at A&M were meeting his future wife and the “other education” that student activities provided.
Troy Davenport '03 - Treasurer
Troy Davenport '03 - Treasurer
Troy Davenport ’03, writes “I was first introduced to the TRA in 2020 via Facebook when they publicly opposed the misguided effort to remove the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue from Campus. This was an issue that I had very strong convictions about and was impressed by the organization’s direct and unyielding support. As time progressed, I continued to see the voice of reason that TRA presented to the University Administration and the valuable niche that the organization was filling within the Aggie Culture. This really hit home when my daughter was accepted to A&M for the fall of 2022. When TRA advertised that they needed someone to take over as treasurer in Fall of 2022, I immediately volunteered.”
Originally from San Antonio, Troy received a 4-year NROTC scholarship to Texas A&M where he was a member of the Fightin Texas Aggie Band (A-Co), mid-shipman Battalion, and Recon Company. He earned a BS in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. After graduation, Troy was commissioned as a Naval Officer in a private ceremony in front of the stature of Lawrence Sullivan Ross in the Academic Plaza. Troy met wife Lisa ’03 on a blind date and was engaged under a saber arch formed under the Century Tree. The two were married in May ’03.
Troy’s wife, an Aggie Biomedical Science major, received both her Masters and Doctorate in Nursing and currently serves as the Nursing Director for NICU IV at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. She has served on the faculty for the Texas Tech School of Nursing for 12 years and is a published author.
Upon leaving active duty, Troy began a career in residential construction eventually moving back to Texas. In 2010 he began a career helping veterans with the Texas Veterans Commission working to establish the TVC Veterans Assistance Grant program that was funded by the State Lottery. He also worked to establish the guidelines for the HUD funds first placed under the control of the TVC in 2013 to be used for the assistance of Texas Veterans. Troy and his lovely wife Lisa currently reside in the North Houston area where he serves in commercial construction as a superintendent. They have three children McKenzie ‘27, Benjamin and Luke.
Troy’s fondest memories of TAMU are hearing the lonesome whistle of a train late at night from his dorm room on The Quad as a freshman and marching on Kyle Field with his older brother (A-Co class of 01).
Darwin Sparkman '77
Darwin Sparkman is an Aggie Class of 1977, and he lives in the San Antonio area. He has been active with the San Antonio A&M Club and the management of Aggie Park San Antonio. While at A&M, he was heavily involved in various MSC programs and is a founding member of the MSC “All Night Fair”. He was also a founder of the MSC program called “Hassle Free” where university services were made available to students living off-campus.
Darwin recently retired (2022) from UPS as an International Operations Manager and previously worked for Campbell Soup Company, Georgia Pacific Corp., Boeing Commercial Airplane Co. and has 15 years’ experience in Marketing/Advertising specializing in alumni membership and fundraising efforts for many major universities throughout the US. His clients included the University of Michigan, Auburn University, Penn State University, the University of Hawaii, and of course, Texas A&M.
Darwin reports, “My favorite memories from my time at A&M revolve around the Centennial celebrations in 1976. Getting blown all around the Drill Field when we were attempting to launch a hot-air balloon. That was unsuccessful because we were dealing with 35 MPH winds! Yes, there are pictures in the 1976 Centennial edition of AGGIELAND.”
One other cherished memory was when he was assisting one of his professors, Rodney Hill, and his wife, Susan, as they were commissioned to create the huge, multi-paneled wood carving that that tell 100 years of Aggie History that past, present and future students will reflect on. His assistance was limited to helping them turn those huge panels (on a weekly basis) so they would not warp. They are known as the Centennial Wood Carvings, and they hang in the MSC today. Fun times in an historic moment!
Bill Gutierrez '91 - Webmaster
Bill Gutierrez graduated from Texas A&M in 1992 with a B.S. in Political Science and is married to Kathleen McGoldrick Gutierrez ’94. Born and raised in Brownsville, TX, Bill married Kathleen in April of 1998 and they have called Bryan, TX their home for over 25 years. They have raised four children, including a daughter that is a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’27.
While at A&M, Bill was a member of Thrashin’ 3 and Aggressor 17 where he served as the 4th Group Commanding Officer as well as serving as the 3rd Platoon Leader for the Ross Volunteer Company. After graduation, Bill worked in the retail industry and started a small business working with Aggie artists assisting them with marketing their art pieces.
After spending six years as a stay-at-home father, Bill was an Associate Director for the Corps of Cadets Association from 2006 to 2014. While at the CCA, he served as the Managing Editor of the Guidon Magazine, coordinated reunions, Rally to the Guidons, and merchandise sales as well as managing all aspects of the local Bryan/College Station CCA office.
Bill is currently President of The Wellesley Group, LLC a real estate investing company and owner of HyFlik Marketing Solutions. He joined TRA in the fall of 2023 to help with marketing, social media, membership and the website.
Fun fact: Bill is a six-time Ironman finisher, ten-time Half Ironman finisher and has competed in triathlons for over 20 years.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
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Joe Bourgeois '89 (former TRA President)
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Emile Soulier (former TRA Treasurer)
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Elizabeth Holle '92 (former TRA Board Member)
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Skip Alvarado '68
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Tom Huffhines '74 (former TRA Executive VP and Board Member)
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Tom Owens