Manuel "Manny" Cavazos, nominated as a public member of the Texas Board of Nursing, told the Senate Committee on Nominations he brings private-sector experience in accounting and law and said public members add useful perspective to professional licensing boards.

Senator Angela Eckhart introduced Cavazos and noted his public-service background in state and local roles; Cavazos said he has previously served on other state boards and that public members can help boards frame issues and present data differently. He gave an example from public-accounting board work where adjusting the presentation of budget figures changed the board’s decision.

Cavazos told senators the nursing board faces pipeline and workforce-retention challenges, as well as personal and professional issues that affect practitioners such as mental-health needs and substance abuse. He said his economic and legal background will help the board evaluate data and make rulemaking decisions.

Cavazos’s appointment will be forwarded in the committee’s report to the full Senate for confirmation.