Tributes pour in for Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Tributes have poured in for Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., who passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 6.

Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Marc Williams said:

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, J. Bruce Bugg, Jr.

“Chairman Bugg was a steadfast leader whose vision and dedication helped shape the future of transportation across our state. His commitment to improving safety, expanding mobility, and strengthening Texas’ infrastructure has left an enduring legacy that will benefit generations to come.

“Beyond his professional achievements, Chairman Bugg was a man of integrity, compassion, and genuine care for the people he served. He listened intently, led decisively, and always placed the needs of Texans at the forefront of every decision.

“On behalf of TxDOT we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Texas has lost a remarkable public servant, and we are grateful for the time we had to work alongside him in service to our great state.”

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., said:

“The passing of Chairman J. Bruce Bugg Jr. is a profound loss for the State of Texas. His unwavering commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure and connecting communities was felt across every corner of our state, including here in Cameron County. 

“Chairman Bugg was a visionary leader whose dedication helped pave the way—literally and figuratively—for economic growth and opportunity, and was instrumental in making the 2nd causeway to South Padre Island an on-system project. On behalf of Cameron County, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.”

Pete Sepulveda, executive director of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, said:

“During Chairman Bugg’s tenure, with TxDOT as our partner, Cameron County and the CCRMA built a sustainable transportation network system building highway, rail, bridge and bi National projects.”

Veteran broadcaster Ron Whitlock attended the December 2024 meeting of TxDOT to thank Chairman Bugg for his steadfast support of the Rio Grande Valley. He was joined in the public comment period by Ivan Morua, assistant city manager of Eagle Pass. Here is a video recording of the event:

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Biography

Here are Bruce Bugg’s biographical details, as posted on the TTC website:

J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. is Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, which oversees statewide activities of TxDOT. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as commissioner on Feb. 13, 2015 and confirmed by the Texas State Senate on March 17, 2015, for a six-year term. On Sept. 19, 2017, Governor Abbott appointed Bugg as chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. On Feb. 23, 2021, Governor Abbott reappointed Bugg to a new six year term to continue serving as chairman and was confirmed by the Texas State Senate on March 31, 2021. Bugg’s current term expires on Feb. 1, 2027.

Previously, Bugg was appointed to serve as chairman and president of the Texas Economic Development Corporation and a senior advisor to Governor Perry on the State of Texas’ economic development strategies and initiatives from 2012 to May, 2014. Prior to this appointment, Bugg was appointed to serve as the governor’s appointee on the Board of Directors of Humanities Texas in Austin, Texas.

Bugg is chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Southwest Bancshares, Inc., a Texas bank holding company for Texas Partners Bank, and chairman and chief executive officer of Texas Partners Bank. Texas Partners Bank operates under the names of The Bank of San Antonio, The Bank of Austin and Texas Hill Country Bank. In addition, Bugg also serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Argyle Investment Co., L.L.C., a private investment firm.

Bugg is also chairman and trustee of The Tobin Endowment, a private charitable foundation, in San Antonio, Texas and founding chairman and co-founder of the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation, owner of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio.

Bugg currently serves as a trustee of the Board of Trustees of the McNay Art Museum, a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Cultural Trust, and a member of the Board of Directors of The Santa Fe Opera in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a former board member of San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, former trustee of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, former trustee of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Hall, a private school in San Antonio, Texas, former chairman of the Board of Governors of Cancer Therapy & Research Center, and former officer and trustee of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation.

Bugg is a member of the State Bar of Texas and holds juris doctorate and bachelor of business administration degrees from Southern Methodist University. He is married to Alethea Bugg and has two sons, Jim and Tom. Bugg is an Eagle Scout.

Editor’s Note: The Rio Grande Guardian will bring more tributes to Chairman Bugg as soon as they come in.

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