Dawn Buckingham, M.D.,
Texas Land Commissioner
June 17, 2026 - Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., will be the keynote speaker for Annual Membership and Awards Luncheon of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District (DETCOG) on Thursday June 25,2026 in Lufkin. The event will be held at Noon at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center.
Another highlight of the event is the presentation of the prestigious Ralph W. Steen East Texan of the Year Award. This award was named in honor of the beloved past president of Stephen F. Austin State University. It honors an individual who has played a major role in leadership and service to Deep East Texas. Several other annual awards will also be presented.
This year marks the 60th anniversary year of DETCOG so we are gathering to celebrate 60 years of regional collaboration,” said Mark Nettuno, DETCOG President and San Jacinto County Commissioner. “We are especially happy to have Dr. Buckingham with us as we celebrate our history of service and honor some very deserving award recipients.”
Dr. Buckingham is a ninth-generation Texan, successful surgeon, business owner, avid hunter, and former volunteer firefighter. Above all else, she’s fiercely Texan with a pioneering spirit. She made history in 2016 as the first woman elected to the Texas Senate from Travis County and she made history again in 2022 when elected as Texas’ first female Land Commissioner.
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is the oldest agency in the state, established in 1836 by the newly formed Republic of Texas Congress. The GLO is charged with managing our most valuable resource: 13 million acres of state lands. It works closely with communities across Deep East Texas as the lead state agency for administering federal long-term disaster recovery and mitigation funds.
“The Texas General Land Office helps empower local governments to prioritize projects to protect the homes, businesses, and lives of those who call these communities home,” Commissioner Buckingham said. “The GLO has allocated more than $427 million for disaster recovery projects for communities in Deep East Texas, including $65 million to improve regional broadband and interoperable radio communications. Together we are strengthening critical public safety infrastructure to protect Deep East Texas communities against the impacts of natural disasters.”
DETCOG was established in November of 1966 as an Economic Development District under the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. In 1968 the organization also became a political subdivision of the State of Texas as a Regional Planning Commission under state law. The organization serves an 11-county region encompassing Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties.
Major program areas include economic development and planning, public safety, the regional 9-1-1 network, aging and disability services, housing, veterans assistance, and youth services. The membership includes 11 counties, 34 cities, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, 30 school districts, four river authorities, and other special purpose districts across the region.
“Above all, DETCOG is an organization of, by, and for the local governments of Deep East Texas,” said Executive Director Lonnie Hunt. “We exist to support our member governments and serve their residents.”
Luncheon tickets are $25 and reserved tables are also available. RSVPs are appreciated. Anyone needing information may contact Executive Assistant Lacy Sargent at the DETCOG office in Lufkin at (936) 634-2247 extension 5254.
