Waco-based Economist Ray Perryman Nominated for Nobel Prize

Ray Perryman has been nominated for a Nobel Prize in economics. The International Institute for Advanced Studies, based in Japan, announced it is nominating Perryman for the 2005 Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Perryman is the president and CEO of the Perryman Group, a Waco-based economic research and analysis firm.

In a statement supporting the nomination, the institute cited "innovative contributions to, and applications of, systems analysis; his notable advancement of scientific approaches to regional economic development; and his consistent and creative use of rigorous economic principles and practice to promote global efficiency, productivity, and prosperity across a broad spectrum."

His seminal work in twelve areas was noted, including monetary policy, economic development, transportation and water-resource planning.

Perryman has published five books, prepared more than 400 academic papers and written 1,800 trade articles. He has also received citations from the Asia and World Institute, the Democracy Foundation and numerous governmental entities.

Troy Garrett of has been named the new president and CEO of The Lucia Group Inc., one of the nation's largest masonry and dimension stone contracting companies. For the past 11 years, Garrett has held executive positions with Linbeck, a prominent project and construction management firm. His assignments included operations in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Yale University in Connecticut. In 2000, he managed the acquisition of a firm in Massachusetts. A graduate of West Point and former infantry officer in the U.S. Army, Garrett previously spent time leading soldiers and oversaw several hi-tech research and development programs during his career. Garrett received a bachelor of science in general engineering in 1987 from the U.S. Military Academy and a master of business administration in 1993 from Auburn University. He is an associate board member of the Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University.

Matthew S. Khourie of the Trammell Crow Co. has been named president, development and investment-central operations, a newly created position within the company. He also will be responsible for the company's national retail development activities. In his new role, Mr. Khourie joins Trammell Crow Company's two other regional presidents of development and investment. The three leaders have overall responsibility for running Trammell Crow's development and investment business.

Christian Holmes of Rice University has been appointed to The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as the academic representative on the state's Pollution Prevention Advisory Committee. Holmes, executive director of Rice's Environmental and Energy Systems Institute and Rice's Shell Center for Sustainability, joins the 17-member committee as one of nine full members and the lone representative of the academic community. Holmes, a graduate of Wesleyan University, has a background in public service that spans the environmental, international economic development and energy sectors.

Mark J. Metyko has joined ATSER as vice president, civil department operations. He will have responsibility for management of ATSER contracts including those at the City of Houston, METRO, the Port of Houston Authority, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the Austin/San Antonio Inter-municipal Commuter Rail District project. Metyko has more than 20 years of planning, design, and construction management experience in municipal and transportation projects. His recent clients include the City of Houston, METRO, the Port of Houston Authority, TxDOT, and various counties, toll road authorities and private entities.

Richard M. Harris has been promoted to associate principal/project manager of FKP Architects Inc. Harris has more than 22 years of experience in healthcare architecture including more than 13 years of experience at FKP. He has expertise in managing complex healthcare and research projects, bringing together diverse teams for successful project delivery. His work includes the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Ambulatory Clinical Building, a major expansion for Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas and the renovation of Keck Hall at Rice University. Harris holds a bachelor's of architecture from Texas Tech University and is a registered architect in Texas and NCARB certified. Harris is a member of the national and Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects and serves on the Academy of Architecture for Health. He is a founding member of the American College of Healthcare Architects and serves on the Committee on Architecture for Health with the Texas Society of Architects.

Rick Berry & Associates has formed a formal partnership with PBK Architects. Berry served as superintendent of the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, one of the largest public school districts in Texas, for more than 12 years before founding RBA.