The <LINK www.lubbockec.org - external-link-new-window "Opens internal link in current window">Lubbock Economics Council</link> celebrate its 50th anniversary with a luncheon on Friday, Nov. 10 at Lubbock Christian University’s Baker Conference Center with special guest speaker John T. Montford, former state senator and Texas Tech University chancellor emeritus.

The Lubbock Economics Council, established in 1967, is an association of people in business, education, and public service who are interested in promoting a better understanding of economic matters. The mission of the Council is to provide a regular forum for education, discussion, and debate of economic issues from the local to international level.

John Montford was Texas Tech University's first chancellor, the chief executive officer of the university system. In 2001, he was named chancellor emeritus of the Texas Tech University System.

Following his role at Texas Tech, Montford served as president of external affairs for Southwestern Bell. After the 2005 merger of SBC and AT&T, he served as president of the western region for AT&T, responsible for 23 states west of the Mississippi.

After leaving AT&T, Montford became senior advisor for global public policy for General Motors Company from January 1, 2010 to January 2012 where he was responsible for GM public policy for federal, state, and international, as well as the GM Foundation. Montford is currently President & CEO of JTM Consulting, LLC, and currently resides in San Antonio.

Russell Dabbs, LEC president and economics professor at LCU, said, “The LEC is honored to have John Montford as the featured speaker for our golden anniversary luncheon. His deep ties to and impact on West Texas over his distinguished career in public service and higher education make him the ideal person to help us commemorate our organization’s fifty-year history.”