August 17, 2001 UNT Inhouse publication: Bobby Inman named TAMS board chair

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Bobby Inman named TAMS board chair

Bobby R. Inman, Lyndon B. Johnson professor of national policy at the University of Texas at Austin, has been named chair of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Advisory Board.

Created by the Texas Legislature, the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a two-year residential program at UNT that allows talented students to complete their freshman and sophomore years of college while earning their high school diplomas. Students enroll in the academy following their sophomore year in high school, live in a UNT residence hall and attend UNT classes with college students. After two years, they enroll at UNT or another university to finish their bachelor's degrees.

The TAMS Advisory Board was created as part of the legislation establishing the academy. The nine board members provide TAMS staff with advice on curriculum, student life and admissions. Board members are appointed for six-year terms and can have their terms renewed. Two members are appointed by the president of UNT. The Texas governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, chair of the State Board of Education, the Texas commissioner of higher education, the president of the Texas Association of the Gifted and Talented and the president of the Texas Association of School Administrators each appoint one member.

Inman was first appointed to the board by the Texas commissioner of higher education in 1999 after serving as the academy's commencement speaker in May 1998. He will become chair with the board's next meeting in September. He replaces E.L. "Buddy" Langley, who served as the board's chair from its creation in 1989 until his death in June.

Richard Sinclair, dean of TAMS, says Inman "brings to the TAMS Advisory Board the perspective of a person who has helped to shape world events."

"He is a superb role model for our students and we look forward to his insight and guidance," Sinclair says.

Retired from the U.S. Navy with the permanent rank of admiral, Inman turned a successful career in the Navy into a successful career of investing in start-up technology companies and supporting education.

A native of Rhonesboro, Texas, Inman entered the Naval Reserve in 1951 and was commissioned as an ensign the following year. For the next 19 years he served on an aircraft carrier, two cruisers and a destroyer, as well as ashore in numerous assignments for Naval Intelligence.

He graduated from the National War College in 1972 and was promoted to rear admiral in 1974 and vice admiral in 1976. Inman achieved the rank of full admiral in 1981, becoming the first Naval Intelligence specialist to attain a four-star rank.

From 1974 until his retirement from the Navy in 1982, Inman served as director of Naval Intelligence, vice director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, director of the National Security Agency and deputy director of Central Intelligence.

Inman was chair and chief executive officer of Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp. in Austin from January 1983 to December 1989. He was also chair, president and chief executive officer of Westmark Systems Inc., a privately owned electronics industry holding company, from 1986 to 1989. In addition, Inman was chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from January 1987 to December 1990.

He is on the board of directors of several companies, including SBC Communications and Science Applications International Corp. Inman serves as a trustee of the Center for Excellence in Education and the California Institute of Technology.

He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin.