Texas Ports Secure: Abbott Appointees Prioritize Security Over Politics

Governor Greg Abbott just dropped a powerhouse lineup of appointees to the Jefferson and Orange Counties Board of Pilot Commissioners, and it’s a move that screams confidence. With maritime traffic surging along Texas waterways, these picks - Brandy Bergeron, M.D., Amy Townsend, M.D., Shawn Sparrow, Craig Sherlock, and Charles 'Charlie' Holder - aren’t just names on a list. They’re proven leaders stepping up to keep our ports safe and our economy humming. This isn’t about flashy headlines; it’s about results, and Abbott’s got his eye on the prize: a thriving Southeast Texas that doesn’t bow to federal overreach or bureaucratic nonsense.

Let’s cut through the noise. Ports like those in Jefferson and Orange aren’t just dots on a map; they’re lifelines for jobs, trade, and energy dominance. Abbott’s choices signal he’s not messing around when it comes to protecting these assets. From physicians who’ve battled healthcare chaos to business owners who’ve built empires from the ground up, this board is stacked with doers, not talkers. Compare that to the gridlock you see in Washington, where appointees often seem picked for optics over merit. Texas is playing a different game, and it’s winning.

Take Brandy Bergeron, an anesthesiologist who’s climbed the ranks to chief of staff at Christus Southeast Texas - St. Elizabeth. She’s not some ivory-tower academic; she’s a boots-on-the-ground physician who knows how to lead under pressure. Then there’s Amy Townsend, running Magnolia Direct Primary Care in Orange. She’s fought the good fight for independent practices, pushing back against the corporate healthcare machine swallowing doctors whole. These women aren’t here to play politics; they’re here to protect the waterways that keep Texas competitive.

Shawn Sparrow, Craig Sherlock, and Charlie Holder round out the crew with business savvy that’s pure Texas grit. Sparrow’s steering The Houseman Companies, Sherlock’s juggling insurance and school boards, and Holder’s delivering care to seniors while testing for a drug-free workforce. These aren’t folks who sit back and let the world happen; they shape it. Their appointments mean the Pilot Board isn’t just about rubber-stamping rules - it’s about safeguarding navigation so businesses can thrive without some federal busybody meddling in local waters.

Texas ports have been economic engines since the days when steamboats ruled the Neches River. Today, they’re handling everything from oil tankers to cargo ships, and the stakes are higher than ever. The Texas Transportation Code gives these commissioners real power - setting pilot numbers, approving rates, investigating accidents. That’s not a job for amateurs. With global supply chains on edge and energy markets tighter than a drum, Abbott’s picks ensure our pilots aren’t left twisting in the wind. Historical boards in places like Harris County have proven this model works; Jefferson and Orange are next in line to shine.

Contrast that with the hand-wringing you hear from advocates of centralized control. They’ll cry that local boards can’t handle the complexity, that we need some sprawling federal agency to swoop in. Nonsense. Texas has been outpacing the nation in job growth and energy output precisely because leaders like Abbott trust the people who live and breathe these communities. The Beaumont Chamber Foundation and Orange County EDC already show how local know-how drives progress - why would ports be any different? The data backs it up: Texas independent practices, like Townsend’s, still outlast the national average despite D.C.’s best efforts to choke them out.

This isn’t just about boats and pilots; it’s about who calls the shots in America’s future. Abbott’s appointees embody a truth too many forget: strong communities don’t need handouts or overlords - they need leaders who get it. Bergeron and Townsend are tackling healthcare shortages with innovative care models, proving private initiative beats government bloat every time. Sparrow, Sherlock, and Holder bring the kind of business backbone that’s kept Southeast Texas punching above its weight. Together, they’re a firewall against the chaos of overregulation and a testament to what works.

So, while some might scoff at these appointments as small potatoes, they’re dead wrong. This is Texas flexing its muscle, showing the nation how to govern with guts and foresight. The Senate confirmation’s still pending, but if history’s any guide, these picks will sail through. When they do, expect Jefferson and Orange Counties to stand taller, their ports buzzing with activity, and their people reaping the rewards. Abbott’s not just filling seats; he’s building a legacy of strength - and that’s a win we can all cheer for.