Published: 04-11-08
Appoints Cantu and McKinney to Board
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry named Karen Rankin of San Antonio as presiding officer of the Texas Veterans Commission for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. He also appointed John McKinney of El Paso and Eliseo Cantu Jr. of Corpus Christi to the commission which works with Texas veterans and their families to ensure they receive all the rights and entitlements provided for veterans of the U.S. and Texas armed forces.
Rankin is a senior associate with Keystone International Inc. She is second vice president of the USO of San Antonio and past president of the Air Force Women Officers Association and the Air Force Association-Alamo chapter. Additionally she is a past board member of the Military Officers Association of America Vetjobs.com and Returning Heroes Home.
Rankin received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Long Beach and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. She is a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force where she served for 31 years. She replaces John Brieden of Brenham as presiding officer.
Cantu is a retired controller and CFO for Driscoll Children’s Hospital. He is vice president of the Texas Association for Healthcare Financial Administration and Healthcare Financial Management Association-South Texas chapter. He is past chairman of the Veterans Committee and Leadership Corpus Christi state commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars and loan executive for the United Way of Coastal Bend. Cantu received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. He served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. He replaces Hector Farias of Weslaco for a term to expire Dec. 31 2013.
McKinney is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. He is past commander of the American Legion regional vice president of the National Association of Uniformed Services and post-service officer of the Disabled Veterans Association. He is also a member of the Military Officers Association of America. McKinney received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. His term expires Dec. 31 2013.
