William P Hobby Jr

Bill Hobby has devoted his life to public service to his country, his state, and his city--as a naval officer, journalist, parliamentary expert, governmental policymaker, university agent, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, university professor, and Chancellor of the University of Houston System. Born January 19, 1932 in Houston, Bill Hobby graduated from Rice University in 1953. After graduation, he served four years in the United States Navy. During his Navy days, he married Diana Poteat Stallings of North Carolina. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Subsequent to his military service, he joined the staff of The Houston Post, the flagship of his family's communications business. He was President of The Houston Post for nearly 21 years when the family sold the paper in 1983. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Hobby Communications. Bill Hobby received his first major exposure to the governmental process at age 27, as Senate Parliamentarian of the 56th Texas Legislature under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Ben Ramsey. He headed an extensive review of the state's welfare system before his election as Lieutenant Governor in 1972. After the Texas Constitution was changed to lengthen the term of office from two to four years, Bill Hobby won re-election in 1974, 1978, 1982, and 1986, serving longer than any Lieutenant Governor in Texas history.