Former Students Respond To COVID-19: Q&A With Brendon Anthony and Todd Staples

In actions big and small, countless Aggies are making a difference as the world responds to this global pandemic.

Brendon Anthony ’99 and Todd Staples ’84 were appointed to the Governor Abbott's Economic Revitalization Strike Force, which focuses specifically on reviving the state’s economic growth.

What are your roles in the response to COVID-19?

Anthony: I was appointed to the Governor's Economic Revitalization Strike Force as the unit took shape several weeks ago. My role is to chair the working group dealing with Arts, Culture, and Entertainment in Texas. This is a vast area of business touching sectors from across the spectrum including Zoos, Aquariums, Theme Parks, Professional sports stadiums, Arenas, Movie theaters, and the Commercial Music Industry as a whole (which is a very nuanced set of interconnected parts unto itself). There are many more sections I am leaving out for brevity's sake. My role is to absorb information from hundreds of businesses and associations, synthesize this information into easily understood guidelines, and deliver recommendations to the Strike Force Committee so that we can create timelines for safe re-openings. 

Staples: Governor Greg Abbott established the Strike Force to Open Texas, a team of renowned medical experts and leaders from the public and private sectors to advise him on safely reopening Texas. I am honored to have been named as a Leader of the Energy Working Group. As president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), I helped facilitate a survey of the industry and worked closely with companies to develop recommendations for the Governor to provide relief to companies during the pandemic and get Texas running again. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership during these unprecedented times and his Administration’s careful approach to managing this crisis.

Additionally, the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state’s regulatory agency for oil and natural gas, has been working diligently to ensure Texas oil and natural gas operations can continue to meet our energy needs. In fact, Chairman Wayne Christian established the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Oil Economic Recovery, a group led by the presidents of the state's major trade associations, including TXOGA, and challenged us to look at every aspect of what can be done to assist operators and save jobs as we navigate these historic circumstances. Our goals are to save jobs, enable operators to survive and return to a robust level of activity as quickly as possible.

As a member of the Task Force, I welcomed the opportunity to work with the private sector and other industry leaders to make comprehensive recommendations to the Commission on regulatory, operational, legal, and tax solutions that can allow Texas producers to recover within the context of the free market.

How has your A&M education and experience influenced your work?

Anthony: My degree in Political Science from Texas A&M comes in handy everyday as I work to affect policy from within the state government system. I am grateful to have this type of education given my current role as an agency head and member of the task force. As a touring and recording musician I understand the entertainment industry very well. That background coupled with my Poli Sci education from A&M make me very well-suited to my current surroundings.

Staples: Not only was I taught the academic skills necessary to compete in the business world, but I remember learning of the culture that distinctly defines Texas A&M. Back in the day, the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients were located on the third floor of the MSC. I stumbled across them and began reading of the tremendous sacrifices Aggies made in defense of our nation. Honoring those who have made a difference is a theme that is evident across campus. This ideal instilled in me the importance of “service, sacrifice and giving back.” It was clear, whether on the battlefield, the football field, in the business world, or in your local neighborhood, Aggies are well-equipped and therefore expected to make a difference.

What is something you want Aggies to know during this time?

Anthony: As always, I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Aggie Network. As we work to move forward I know for certain that Texans, and Aggies in particular, will be leading from the front. By remaining focused on our education, families, jobs, and responsibilities, we will certainly be proud to look back at this time and the way that we reacted to these events.

Staples: My experience at Texas A&M and the various roles I’ve held over the years have ultimately pointed me toward the conclusion that events are not what define us as Texans. Texans are defined by our actions.

Whether the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 or the pandemic of 2020, Texans have stepped forward, acted with bravery, and fought for a better and brighter day.

This is the third post in a series of interviews with former students who are directly involved in the nation's response to COVID-19. To suggest a former student for this series, email AggieNetwork@AggieNetwork.com.

The Association of Former Students has a bold vision to engage 100,000 donors annually for Texas A&M by the end of 2020. To learn more, visit tx.ag/100Kby2020. To help us help more Aggies , make a gift at tx.ag/Give.