The Honorable John T. Montford is currently President & Chief Executive Officer of JTM Consulting, LLC. He has served as an independent director of Southwest Airlines since 2002 and currently serves as Chairman of its Audit Committee. He is also Chancellor Emeritus of the Texas Tech University System.
Prior to establishing his own consulting firm, John served as Senior Advisor for Global Public Policy for General Motors Company from January 1, 2010 to January 2012. At GM, he was responsible for GM public policy for federal, state, and international, as well as the GM Foundation. John was a member of the GM Executive Committee from January 1, 2010 to May 1, 2011.
Prior to joining GM, John served as the Senior Vice President of State Legislative Affairs for AT&T. Following 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. From 2002 to 2005, John was president of External Affairs for Southwestern Bell. He joined SBC, now AT&T, in September 2001.
John was the 2005 Chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, a catalyst for economic development in San Antonio with over 2,000 members. From 2007-2010, John was President of the Board of the National Western Art Foundation, for which he personally secured the lead gift to create the Dolph and Janey Briscoe National Western Art Museum in San Antonio. John was also Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He served as Chairman of the Development Board of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and President of the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation from 2008-2010.
Before joining SBC, John was Texas Tech University’s first Chancellor, the chief executive officer of the university system. He was named Chancellor Emeritus in 2001.
John served as a member of the Texas Senate for 14 years. During his tenure in the Senate, he served as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and Chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee. Texas Monthly named Senator Montford among the Top 10 Best Legislators for five legislative sessions.
John was an active duty officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. After his military service, he served as an elected district attorney. John received his bachelor’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
John and his wife Debbie are the proud parents of three children and five grandchildren.