News Release
For Immediate Release

TCOG Announces New Executive Director

SHERMAN, JULY 19, 2018 – Representatives from Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today the name of the individual who will soon be taking over the role of Executive Director as the organization embarks on a new chapter of regional leadership.

“After an in-depth hiring and vetting process with many capable and qualified applicants, we are pleased to announce the selection of Eric M. Bridges as our next Executive Director,” Cooke County Judge Jason Brinkley stated. Judge Brinkley serves as the President of TCOG’s Governing Board.

“Mr. Bridges has an impressive résumé, and the board of directors is excited to have him join the organization in the weeks to come,” remarked Brinkley. “TCOG is a great organization, and I am confident that Eric will help lead TCOG in becoming even more successful as we pursue the mission of improving quality of life throughout Texoma.”

Eric Bridges earned both his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Studies and Master’s Degree in Community Services Administration from Alfred University in Alfred, NY. From September 2006 through July 2018, Mr. Bridges served as Executive Director of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning & Development Commission (North Central). Headquartered in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, North Central is the Local Development District for the counties of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter.

“On behalf of the staff at TCOG, we are thrilled to learn that Mr. Bridges accepted our offer of employment,” said Sean Norton, Public Information & Media Manager for TCOG. “We believe his leadership skills and experience are an excellent complement to our vision of Better Leaders Building Better Lives and can’t wait to begin writing the next chapter in our organization.”

Prior to North Central, Mr. Bridges served concurrently as the Director of the Center for Local Government Services with the Southern Tier West Regional Planning & Development Board and as Administrator of the Southern Tier West Development Foundation in southwestern New York.

Mr. Bridges currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) representing the Eastern Region. He and his wife, Maureen, currently reside in St. Marys, PA with their son, Brendon. Daughter(s) Shannon resides in California, PA, and Megan is a student at Pennsylvania State University.

Bridges and his family will be relocating to the Texoma area as he is expected to begin working at TCOG on September 10, 2018. A meet & greet opportunity is currently being planned and will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.