Richard Bowers (left) is out and Al Jones is in on the Port of Corpus Christi Board of Commissioners. Bowers announced his retirement at the port’s regular meeting February 18. Jones was appointed to serve on the board by the City Council on February 11. Nueces County commissioners will be appointing Bowers’ replacement. Courtesy photos
One week after the City Council appointed a new member to the Port of Corpus Christi Board of Commissioners, Nueces County commissioners learned they now have a vacancy on the port board to fill as well.
The newest appointee to the seven-member port board, retired banker Al Jones, took his seat at the February 18 meeting. That’s also when Richard Bowers announced he was stepping down.
The 78-year-old Bowers was appointed by the Nueces County Commissioners Court in 2015 to fill a seat held by Richard M. Borchard, who decided not to seek reappointment when his term expired. Bowers also served on the board from 1990 to 1998. His current term was due to expire at the end of 2021. He is the longest-serving port commissioner to date, he told reporters.
Jones is serving out the last 11 months of Wayne Squires’ term. Squires resigned in December after reports he made false claims on his resume. He claimed to have graduated from Pennsylvania State University. The school was not able to verify that Squires has a degree.
Port commissioners serve staggered three-year terms without pay. Three are appointed by the Corpus Christi City Council, three by Nueces County commissioners, and one by San Patricio County commissioners.
