Governor Greg Abbott announced on Apr. 8 the reappointment of Gilbert “Gil” Burciaga, Marcella Burke, Brad Curlee, and David Eyler to the School Land Board for terms ending August 29, 2027. The board is responsible for managing the acquisition, sale, and mineral leasing of lands that make up the Permanent School Fund, which supports public education in Texas.
The appointments are significant as the Permanent School Fund contributes billions of dollars annually to Texas schools. The work of this board helps ensure continued funding for educational initiatives across the state.
Burciaga is a co-founder and board member at ARM Energy, LLC in Austin and has served on the School Land Board since September 2015. He also serves on boards such as TruCare Pregnancy Center in Austin and Adaptive Sports Center in Colorado. Burke is founder and managing partner at Burke Law Group PLLC in Houston with previous experience leading legal teams at federal agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior. She holds leadership roles with several legal organizations including State Bar of Texas Environmental Division.
Curlee recently retired as banking center president for Prosperity Bank in Round Rock and has been recognized by community groups such as Rotary Club of Georgetown and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. Eyler owns Milagro Resources, LP in Midland and has held leadership positions within professional earth science organizations as well as local cultural institutions.
Greg Abbott currently serves as the state’s 48th governor according to the official website. The Office of the Texas Governor acts as executive branch leader providing services statewide while making appointments to boards like this one according to its official website. The office also advances economic opportunity, education, public safety, social understanding through commissions supporting women and people with disabilities according to its official website.
The Governor’s Mansion—a Greek Revival structure built in 1856—serves both as a symbol of state history and an operational base for gubernatorial activities; it stands among America’s oldest continuously occupied governor’s residences according to its official website.
