Texas Senate Confirms DIR Board Members

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Senate voted 31-0 to confirm Frank Coppersmith, Keith Halman, and Catherine Bellah to DIR’s Board of Directors. The Senate Committee on Nominations had previously voted 7-0 to approve these nominations. 

Governor Greg Abbott appointed these board members in previous months. However, DIR's enabling statute requires the Senate to render its advice and consent over these appointees. 

Coppersmith testified on Monday, March 31, 2025, in front of the Senate Committee on Nominations in support of his nomination. 

“Thank you so much for this really terrific opportunity to come speak with you today and this really significant personal honor to be allowed to serve on the Board of the Department of Information Resources,” Coppersmith said, after Chair Donna Campbell lauded his credentials and application. 

Both Coppersmith and Bellah come from the private sector, hold a Juris Doctor, and run their own companies. Coppersmith’s Smarter Reality is a software development firm that builds a variety of tailored applications for their clients—including training and simulation software—while Bellah’s Plumaven is a consulting firm that specializes in addressing operational and strategic challenges. Halman is the current Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer for the Texas Tech University System and has 29 years in the information technology (IT) space. 

With experience in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology, policy, and IT management, the three confirmed board members round out DIR’s 10-member governing body, which is responsible for driving the overall strategy of DIR as an organization. Seven of DIR’s board members are appointed by the Governor and serve staggered six-year terms. The remaining three ex-officio board members are designated in DIR’s enabling statute and rotate around a set schedule.