LUFKIN – Andrew Harmon, a Colmesneil man who most recently served as the assistant executive director of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) was named to a new position with the T.L.L. Temple Foundation last week.
Harmon, according to a news release from the organization, will serve as its program officer.
“Andrew brings a combination of lived experience, technical knowledge, and a practical, approach to the work,” said Charlie Glover, president and CEO of the Temple Foundation. “He understands East Texas and he knows how to turn local priorities into collaborative action.”
Harmon said, on his first day in his new position, that he is grateful for his time with DETCOG, and his time spent with many leaders across the region who trusted him to work alongside them.
“The work there continues and is in great hands. I’m excited to keep investing in this region, just from a different seat at the table. Looking forward to new partnerships and what lies ahead,” he said.
Harmon, who grew up in Colmesneil and graduated from Colmesneil High School, holds college degrees from the University of Texas, and has led a career in public service, post-college, first with the state’s General Land Office and later with DETCOG, which services an 11-county area.
The Temple Foundation is a Lufkin-based organization named for the patriarch of the Temple family, Thomas Lewis Latane Temple, who founded Southern Pine Lumber Company in 1893, which later became Temple-Inland, Inc. The foundation was established in 1962 by Temple’s daughter Georgie Temple Munz.
Harmon’s work with the organization will help support its capacity to support rural communities in the region through its philanthropic investments.
“I’ve spent my career working alongside rural communities to solve real problems,” Harmon said. “I’m excited to join the great work being done by the Foundation, to listen our communities and support thoughtful investments in projects creating lasting opportunity across East Texas.”
