Del Rio Attorney Appointed to the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Trustees

ABILENE, TX (01/27/2014)(readMedia)--  Filemon Ortiz, Jr. has been appointed to the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Trustees. Ortiz, an attorney in Del Rio, Texas, graduated from HSU in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, Texas, in 1974.

After graduating from HSU with a major in history and a minor in Spanish, Ortiz returned to his hometown of Del Rio to take a teaching assignment with the San Felipe Independent School District. After teaching for about five years, he enrolled in what was then known as the Texas Southern School of Law in Houston.

He and his wife, Maria Elena, stayed in Houston three more years while she completed a master's degree and he served with the Houston Legal Foundation. In 1976, Ortiz became the city attorney for Del Rio and opened his own law firm, which became Ortiz and Sumpter from 1977 through 2001. Ortiz also served as the attorney for Val Verde County and as Del Rio's municipal court judge for 25 years.

Ortiz has served his community as consulting attorney to the Mexican Consulate in Del Rio; founding member and director of the Association of Christian Men; and as a founding member and director of the Asociación de Ayuda Comunitaria (A.D.A.C.).

HSU president, Dr. Lanny Hall says, "Mr. Ortiz brings a wealth of experience to the Board of Trustees. His extensive background in law and his business acumen represent outstanding preparation for his role as a trustee. We are proud to welcome this distinguished Christian alumnus back to this important leadership post."

Ortiz and his son F. David, a 1995 graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law, practice law in the firm Ortiz & Ortiz, PC. Their son, Arturo, is a dog trainer in Dallas, and their daughter, Larissa Rodriguez attended HSU and works as an educator in Round Rock, Texas. Filemon and Maria Elena have four grandchildren, Miranda, Matthew, and Jakob Ortiz; and Elan Rodriguez.

Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz are members of Iglesia Cristo Vive of Del Rio. He has served as president of Church Council; as a Bible study teacher; and as a member of the praise and worship team.

Ortiz began his service as a member of the HSU Board of Trustees on January 1, 2014.