 "Photo: Jordan Gomez")
Phil Wilson took the oath of office Wednesday as the 106th Texas secretary of state. Wilson previously served as Gov. Rick Perry's deputy chief of staff and has spent more than 10 years in public service.
"We're here today to celebrate the embodiment of his character," Perry said. "Wilson's career is a fact that public service remains an honorable pursuit."
Wilson was appointed as secretary of state by Gov. Perry, and will serve as the chief elections officer and the chief international protocol officer for Texas. He will also act as the governor's chief liaison on border and Mexico affairs.
"He has a high ethical standard, and I can count on him to ensure the integrity of our elections," Perry said. "I wholeheartedly believe he is the best man to represent Texas to the world."
As deputy chief of staff, Wilson served as the governor's designee on the $200 million Emerging Technology Fund and the $185 million Texas Enterprise Fund, which helped create more than 45,000 new jobs in the state, according to the secretary of state's office.
"It's a great honor to serve the people of Texas," Wilson said. "I will work tirelessly to hear the people, and together we will work to create even more jobs."
Wilson is a native of Brownwood, Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and a master's of business administration from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He has been married for 15 years to his wife Kristen.
After two bouts of cancer, Wilson said he has learned never to give up and takes his international responsibilities as secretary of state very seriously.
"We are a national and international leader," he said. "I will uphold, nurture and create purposeful relations with our international leaders."
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