February 3, 2005

State Auditor John Keel Draws Praise
from GOP Leaders with Bullock Award

For someone who was rumored to be on the chopping block two years ago when Republicans took control of the Texas House and the Senate got a new leader, State Auditor John Keel has put to rest any doubts about whether he has the support of the legislative leadership.

Keel not only kept his job as the executive director of the Legislative Budget Board throughout 2003 but landed an even more prestigious position with his current station after retiring from the LBB and taking a well-deserved extended vacation last year. Keel, a former top aide to Bob Bullock at the state Comptroller's office, won praise Wednesday from House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst after receiving the Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public Stewardship.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins - another former LBB official who received the Bullock award in 2004 - presented Keel with this year's honors during a ceremony as part of the Government Technology Conference at the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin.

"John is one of the good guys," Craddick said of the selection of Keel for the Bullock award. "He is exceptionally talented and bright, and he has paved the way for so many others who have followed in his footsteps. I can't say enough about his contribution to state government or about his dedication to the citizens of this state."

Dewhurst called Keel a "true leader" and said Texas "is a better place because of his service." In high-pressure posts at the LBB and now as state auditor, the lieutenant governor said Keel had risen to the challenges and exceeded expections.

The award is named after the Democrat from Hillsboro who became a legend in Texas politics during four decades at the Capitol in stints as a state representative, gubernatorial chief of staff, secretary of state and lobbyist before serving 16 years in his first statewide office as comptroller and culminating his career with two terms as lieutenant governor. Bullock - who died several months after retiring from public office in 1999 - had a reputation for bringing top-level talent into the public sector. Keel is one of many so-called Bullock University alums who went on to hold key positions in Texas government after working for Bullock. The award is given annually to a recipient who has demonstrated innovative leadership while inspiring others to do their best for the good of the state.

A University of Texas graduate who earned a master's degree from St. Edwards Univeristy, Keel also worked at the Attorney General's office and spent time in private practice as a Certified Public Accountant who specialized in tax issues. Keel, who led the LBB for 10 years, is one of only four executive directors in the history of the Legislature's budget agency. His uncle, Tom Keel, held that post for 16 years until the early 1980s. Tom Keel's son is State Rep. Terry Keel, an Austin Republican who served as Travis County sheriff before entering the Legislature. Terry Keel replaced his mother, Patty Keel, in the state House seat, which she'd won in a special election.

John Keel is married to Lara Laneri Keel, a member of the Texas Lobby Group with Bill Messer, Ellen Williams and Mike Toomey. They have a daughter named Kelly Keel.

State Senator Steve Ogden of Bryan and State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran of Kerrville have also been honored with the Bullock award in recent years.