LCRA Moves Swiftly to Name New Boss

The board of the Lower Colorado River Authority wasted no time in naming a long-time staffer to take over as the organization's general manager, following the resignation of Tom Mason a week ago.

Rebecca Motal, 61, took her first job with the LCRA, a enormous Central Texas wholesale electricity and water supplier, in 1972, and she served most recently as the executive manager of external affairs. She has not worked at the LCRA continuously over the decades; at one point she served as the chairwoman of the Travis County Republican Party.

“Becky Motal has a thorough understanding of a very complex organization, solid relationships with appointed and elected leaders from across our region and a true passion for public service,” LCRA Board Chairman Tim Timmerman said in a statement issued shortly after the LCRA board unanimously approved her appointment. “She is a person with a keen intellect, solid values and clear vision. She understands the issues facing LCRA and she understands the culture.”

Said Motal in a statement: “My career has been one of public service, and I am honored to be asked to lead such an incredibly dedicated staff of public servants who work every day to improve the quality of life of the people of Texas."

Motal's swift appointment is unlikely to please some state lawmakers. 

In an interview last week, state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, said that he, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, would push for a thorough search for a replacement for Mason. "The three senators are requesting that this be a very extensive search," Fraser said, adding that ultimately he hoped to find someone "from the outside that's not connected to the LCRA."