Gary N. Smith, President and Texas History Program Director, has announced his retirement effective February 28, 2026. He will be succeeded by Jessica Lee Hamlin, who for the past eleven years has served as Executive Director of Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center. Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology/Archaeology and Spanish from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts degree in Human Geography from the University of Texas. Shumla is a global leader in rock art research and education using advanced science and technology to preserve the information held in the oldest “books” in North America — the ancient murals of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands of Texas. Prior to taking the helm at Shumla, Jessica was a Senior Consultant in the Communications and Change Management practice at Willis Towers Watson, an international consulting firm. She has also worked in administration at the Smithsonian Institution and in travel programming at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. Smith will assume the position of Co-Trustee with the Summerfield G. Roberts Foundation in 2026. The Roberts Foundation is a Summerlee-related foundation that makes grants in three areas: Texas history, graduate business school scholarships, and medical research.