The Port of Corpus Christi Authority’s newest Commissioner and only the fourth woman appointed to the Port Commission, Catherine Tobin Hilliard, was sworn in on Tuesday. Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales administered the Oath of Office. Hilliard fills the Commission seat left vacant by Canales as she was elected to serve as the first ever female Nueces County Judge. Hilliard will fulfill Canales’ remaining term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2019.
San Patricio County appointee, Commissioner Wes Hoskins, and City of Corpus Christi appointee, Commissioner Rick Valls, Jr., also were sworn in for additional three-year terms.
“We are grateful for Judge Canales’ leadership while serving on the Port Commission and we look forward to Commissioner Hilliard carrying on Judge Canales’ legacy,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi.
A native of San Diego, Texas, Hilliard manages and co-owns Hilliard Martinez Gonzalez LLP, where she made history as the first female Hispanic partner of the firm. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned her juris doctorate from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, before returning to Corpus Christi to work as a civil litigation attorney. She serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Edward’s University and on the Board of Directors for the Incarnate Word Academy.
“I am honored to be sworn in as the fourth woman ever to serve as a Port of Corpus Christi Commissioner, surrounded by my family and friends. I am grateful to Judge Canales for administering the oath and for blazing such a tremendous trail of success. I am ready to commit the time, energy and effort to furthering the goals of the Port and representing the citizens of Nueces County,” said Commissioner Catherine Tobin Hilliard.
“We are pleased to welcome a new voice and perspective to our Port Commission,” said Charles W. Zahn, Jr., Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman.
The Port Commission governs the Port of Corpus Christi Authority and is composed of seven commissioners who serve without pay. Each commissioner serves a three-year staggered term. Three commissioners are appointed by the Corpus Christi City Council; three commissioners are appointed by the Nueces County Commissioners Court; and one is appointed by the San Patricio County Commissioners Court.
