Texas Exes CEO Named Distinguished Executive Of The Year

By alcalde in Blog on July 9, 2010 at 9:41 am | No Comments

Here’s some happy news for a Friday: Jim Boon, executive director and CEO of the Texas Exes, has been named the 2010 Distinguished Executive of the Year by the Texas Society of Association Executives.

The award recognizes outstanding leadership and achievement in association managers who serve TSAE, contribute to other voluntary membership organizations, and participate in civic and community affairs. It has been given out since 1973.

Boon has run the show as executive director of The University of Texas’ alumni association for 16 years, is a former board member of KLRU, and was chairman of TSAE in 2007-08.

“TSAE is fortunate to have such an exceptional leader as Jim Boon,” said TSAE president and CEO Beth Brooks. “This award recognizes the outstanding leadership he has provided to not only TSAE, but also the association profession, Texas Exes, and his community. He has been a role model to me, and I am pleased to see him honored for his contributions.”

In his time as the Texas Exes CEO, Boon has overseen a profound expansion of the Association. Revenues have more than doubled, staff size has nearly doubled, and membership has reached an all-time high. The Association’s assets have increased from under $10 million to more than $80 million.

Under Boon’s leadership, the Texas Exes developed and opened Longhorn Village, a state-of-the-art retirement community in Steiner Ranch, secured exclusive rights to sell UT class rings, and significantly expanded its legislative advocacy program.

This year, the Texas Exes is launching its most ambitious project ever, the 40 Acres Scholars Program, a merit-based scholarship program aiming to raise $150 million to support 300 full-ride scholarships to The University of Texas.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Boon said, “but is more representative of the great work our staff does everyday than anything I have done.”

Boon will be presented with the award September 20 at the TSAE annual conference in Dallas.