January 9, 2023 (Kingsville, TX) – The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation begins the new year pleased to announce the addition of three influential members to its Board of Trustees – Claudia Castillo ’94, Jeff Ko ’95, Ph.D., and Sharon Spurlin ’87.
Castillo currently serves as the Vice President and Executive Director of JP Morgan Chase. She was a student-athlete during her time at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, earning the Women’s Basketball All-Time Letter for the Class of 1994, and previously served the university as a board member of the Javelina Alumni Association. Castillo is also a member of the Javelina Athletics Director Advisory Council (JADAC).
Dr. Ko has held a dedicated career in healthcare and biopharmaceuticals for more than 20 years, currently serving as Senior Vice President, Global Biologics Operations for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. During his time as a student, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society; served as a Presidential Ambassador; and served in the Student Government Association. He is a member of the Carnegie Mellon Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (CheGSA) and American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
Spurlin has served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Plains All American Pipeline since 2014. As a student, she was a student-athlete on the Women’s Basketball team as well as a member of the Student Government Association. She also serves as Director of Smart Sand; as a board member for AdvanSix, Inc.; is involved with the Women’s Energy Network; and was honored as one of 50 Most Powerful Women – Oil & Gas in 2016.
“We’re very excited to welcome such a strong group of new Trustees to the Board. Each brings tremendous talent to the university’s Foundation and they are all leaders in their chosen professions,” remarked Brad Walker, Texas A&M-Kingsville Foundation CEO. “To have the likes of Claudia Castillo, Dr. Jeff Ko, and Sharon Spurlin working directly with Chairman Sanchez and President Vela will mean great things for our students. They are wonderful representatives of our alumni and supporters.”
The TAMUK Foundation also announced the recent retirement of Bill Colston as First Vice Chairman after 12 dedicated and very impactful years of service. Having served alongside Colston during his entire tenure, Foundation Chairman and retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez ’73 shared, “Working with Bill on the Foundation Board over the past 12 years has been a remarkable and inspirational experience. He is a dedicated and steadfast supporter of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Bill has never wavered in his commitment to our institution and I consider him the epitome of a servant leader.”
“Bill has gone above and beyond in countless ways to ensure the success of our university community and all Javelina students, current and future. His invaluable leadership, guidance and insights have impacted a generation of students and set the standard and azimuth for the Foundation Board moving forward,” Gen. Sanchez concluded.
For more information about the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation, Inc. or how you can make a gift to the university, please visit www.javelinagiving.org.