88R33240 TBO-D By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 125 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Dr. Jeff Ripley is retiring as associate director for county operations at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service on August 31, 2023, concluding an exemplary tenure with the agency that has spanned nearly three and a half decades; and WHEREAS, Dr. Ripley began his career with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in 1989, when he accepted a position as assistant county extension agent for agriculture in Seguin; over the following years, he served as a county extension agent for Williamson, Palo Pinto, and Tom Green Counties, and in 2000, he became the Travis County extension director; he subsequently served a brief tenure as the district extension administrator for Coastal Bend District 11 before becoming an assistant professor and extension specialist for organizational development; and WHEREAS, On December 1, 2014, Dr. Ripley took on his current role as the associate director for county operations; his many responsibilities have included leading all 12 district extension administrators across the state, overseeing the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of county staff, and serving as the administrative liaison for commissioners courts; along the way, he has given hundreds of speeches, training presentations, and lectures, and he has authored numerous publications; in addition, he has been involved in many professional and civic initiatives, organizations, and committees; and WHEREAS, Among his many achievements, Dr. Ripley received the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Superior Service Awards for the specialist and evaluation team categories in 2014, and he has been named an honorary lifetime director by the Texas Junior Livestock Association; he holds a bachelor's degree in agribusiness from Tarleton State University, a master's degree in agricultural education from Southwest Texas State University, and a doctoral degree in agricultural education from Texas A&M University; and WHEREAS, Through his dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence, Jeff Ripley has greatly benefited his fellow Texans and earned the lasting respect and admiration of his colleagues, and he may indeed reflect with pride on a career well spent as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate Dr. Jeff P. Ripley on his retirement as associate director for county operations at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Ripley as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.