Todd Staples

Two East Texas native leaders will represent the region and their industries as members of Gov. Greg Abbott’s strike force committee to reopen the state’s economy.

Brookshire Grocery Co. Chairman and CEO Brad Brookshire, of Tyler, and Texas Oil & Gas Association President Todd Staples, of Palestine, will both serve on the committee.

The strike force includes various working groups on economic recovery and a special advisory council made up of business leaders representing the state’s regions and industries.

Brookshire is on strike force’s special advisory council. He feels honored to represent the retail grocery industry and East Texas.

“I am proud to be a part of this historic effort to help Texans get back to work, school and their normal routines as safely as possible. The council will have regular calls to discuss how to safely reopen Texas,” he said. “As an essential business, our stores have remained open throughout the pandemic, which gives us a unique opportunity to help other businesses.”

Brookshire Grocery Co. operates more than 180 stores under Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Fresh by Brookshire’s, and Spring Market banners in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. The family-owned company is headquartered in Tyler.

The strike force is made up of business and health leaders under the leadership of Chair James Huffines and Chief Operating Officer Mike Toomey, Abbott announced during a news conference April 17. Abbott will provide more details about the work of the strike force on Monday based on how well the coronavirus is contained.

Brookshire said the highest priority of the council is the safety of employees and customers who work and shop in Texas.

He will bring first-hand experience from the best practices used at Brookshire’s stores.

“We also closely monitored international grocery retailers that experienced the pandemic before it impacted our market areas,” he said. “I can’t thank our customers enough for their patience, understanding and cooperation as we’ve worked through this pandemic together over the past few weeks. I am incredibly proud of our employees who have done a phenomenal job of serving the food needs of our fellow East Texans and other market areas.”

Through a collaborative effort, Brookshire said he’s confident the state can be safely reopened.

Staples was named as one of the leaders of the energy working group.

Staples said the state’s oil and natural gas industry is prepared to contribute to the efforts of economic recovery in Texas.

“Throughout the pandemic, every sector of the Texas oil and natural gas industry — exploration and production, oilfield services, transportation and storage, and refining and manufacturing — has continued to reliably provide the oil and natural gas products that have helped keep Texans safe, stocked and fueled up,” Staples said. “As the nation’s leader in oil and natural gas production, pipeline miles and refining capacity, the oil and natural gas industry in Texas is well equipped to play a vital role in the efforts to get Texas families, businesses and communities on the road to recovery.”

Staples said he appreciates Abbott’s leadership and careful approach. He looks forward to working with leaders and strike force members.

He previously served as the Texas agriculture commissioner and as a member of the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives.

“By continuing to readily deliver the power, products and fuels Texans depend on, the industry is proud to be a trusted partner in helping overcome the challenges our state faces and emerging even stronger than before,” he said.