The October 2006 Hispanic Business magazine published its list of the 100 most influential Hispanic leaders in the United States. The annual listing, based upon career accomplishments and the scope of influence for individuals nominated, is considered the most comprehensive compendium of Hispanic leaders in the nation. Hardin-Simmons University’s own Dr. Victor Carrillo was selected at one of the “100 Most Influential” in this year’s edition.

The Honorable Victor Carrillo

A graduate and former HSU faculty member, Commissioner Carrillo was elected to the Abilene City Council, and later appointed Taylor County Judge. Texas Governor, Rick Perry, hand-picked Commissioner Carrillo to fill a vacancy on the Texas Railroad Commission, and colleagues unanimously elected him Chairman of the agency in 2003. He was elected for a six-year term in 2004, and continues to serve Texans as its chief energy resource administrator. When asked for a reaction to his selection, he said simply, “I am honored to have been selected. I am honored to be able to represent the 22-plus million Texans on energy issues at the statewide level.”

Commissioner Carrillo is Chairman of the Texas Energy Planning Council, and was recently appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as Texas’ representative on the Outer Continental Shelf Advisory Committee. He is also Governor Perry’s official representative to the interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission whose mission is to improve cooperation between state oil and gas regulatory officials and the federal EPA. Commissioner Carrillo holds the distinction as Texas’ highest ranking Hispanic elected official.

Much of Carrillo’s education and professional experience relate to oil and gas exploration and production. He has a B.S. degree in geology from Hardin-Simmons University and a M.S. degree in geology from Baylor University. In 1988, he joined Amoco Production Company in Houston as a petroleum geophysicist where he gained experience in the full spectrum of oil and gas exploration and production activities.

In 1996, Victor and his family returned to Abilene, his hometown, where he served as assistant city attorney and later taught political science and legal studies at Hardin-Simmons University, his alma mater. He ran for and won election to the Abilene City Council, where he served until he was appointed as Taylor County Judge. In November of 2002, he was elected to a four-year term as Taylor County Judge, the position he held when the governor appointed him to the Texas Railroad Commission.

A host of organizations have benefited from Victor’s commitment to volunteering and public service, including: Salvation Army of Abilene, Keep Abilene Beautiful, and the Abilene Hispanic Leadership Council. Victor proudly served on the Military Affairs Committee of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce where he promoted Dyess Air Force Base on a variety of military issues.

The Abilene Young Lawyers’ Association honored Victor as the Young Lawyer of the Year in 2001. In 2003, Victor was awarded the first Young Alumni of the Year award from Hardin-Simmons University and received the Honorary Doctor of Letters degree during Spring 2006 commencement exercises.

Victor and his wife, Joy, have been married 21 years. They are blessed with three daughters whom they home educate: Laura, Christina, and Grace.

Hispanic Business magazine won the prestigious Maggie Award for "Best Business & Finance Magazine," and is syndicated by the New York Times Company. For more than 25 years, Hispanic Business magazine has been the market leader at delivering the Hispanic market.