Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Julie Ruehle and reappointed Stacey Neal Combest and Ellen K. Ramsey to Humanities Texas, with terms ending December 31, 2027. Humanities Texas serves as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, providing public programs in history, literature, philosophy, and other disciplines to support community knowledge and civic engagement.
Julie Ruehle is based in Austin and leads the Ruehle Family Office. She is a board member at Austin AI Hub and mentors for the Student Board Executive Committee at the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas in Austin. Her affiliations include WIN Angel Network and Ligo Partners. Ruehle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Houston, an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and completed Columbia University’s executive program in venture capital and private equity.
Stacey Neal Combest from Huntsville previously chaired the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding. She is certified in alternative dispute resolution mediation, belongs to the Texas Association of Mediators, and served as president of Texans for State Supported Living Centers. Combest earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UH and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.
Ellen K. Ramsey resides in Midland where she works as Public Stakeholder Consultant for Energy Transfer and is a partner at Ramsey Petroleum, L.P. She volunteers civically and sits on boards including the Midland Chamber of Commerce and Midland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. Ramsey also participates as a Junior League sustainer and PTA lifetime member. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UT Permian Basin.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott forms part of the executive branch for state government operations according to its official website. Governor Abbott’s administration focuses on economic development, education improvement, border security initiatives such as Operation Lone Star, job creation efforts that have led to record employment levels statewide and recognition by TIME among its 100 Most Influential People. The office maintains its primary location at the State Insurance Building in Austin and delivers services across all regions.
Humanities Texas is one among 56 nonprofit state humanities councils nationwide working to strengthen communities through educational programming.
