February 6, 2026 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director Hughes Simpson was presented with a Texas A&M University System Regents Fellow Service Award for 2024-2025 at a ceremony on Wednesday evening in College Station, Texas.
Simpson received this award for his extraordinary contributions to the State and People of Texas through the conservation and protection of forests and natural resources, as well as his cultivation of the people, programs and communities responsible for the stewardship of these resources.
“Hughes has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and collaboration throughout his 25 years with the agency,” said Al Davis, Director, Texas A&M Forest Service. “He has significantly impacted the sustainability of our forest resources across Texas – and the partnerships that make it possible.”
Simpson serves as a critical link between the agency’s mission and the legislative and regulatory landscape. His role is highly strategic, requiring a deep understanding of policy, strong communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders. Simpson works closely with Texas A&M AgriLife External Relations and Texas A&M University System leadership to continuously align mission and priorities among these intrinsically linked entities.
His leadership contributed to the awareness and recognition of agency needs and opportunities – contributing to significant legislative outcomes for the agency in the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
Simpson was instrumental in forging a working relationship with the American YouthWorks’ Texas Conservation Corps. The partnership connects young people to careers in forestry, natural resource management, wildfire mitigation, and disaster relief. He orchestrated the Memorandum of Understanding with the corps and led the union’s major projects like helping restore parts of the W.G. Jones State Forest in Conroe following a damaging storm last year, and work on the Dogwood Trail in Tyler County to remove hazardous trees, clear fallen vegetation, and re-establish a walking path. Together, the partnership between these groups is shaping the future workforce of civic-minded, action-oriented, emerging natural resource professionals in Texas.
In strengthening other external natural resource partnerships, Simpson developed and implemented the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute, a leadership training program for natural resource and emergency response partners that promotes the advancement of statewide natural resource stewardship.
Simpson, helping lead the Texas Longleaf Team, has been instrumental in the restoration of the native longleaf pine ecosystem. In 2014, he developed the Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program that has provided over $2.4 million in financial assistance to landowners to restore and steward almost 50,000 acres of this iconic ecosystem.
Simpson established the Texas Partnership for Forests and Water, a statewide collaborative that works to sustain forested watersheds to provide safe, reliable sources of drinking water and positive benefits to local economies.
Beyond specific projects, Simpson’s dedication is evident in his far-reaching service and leadership to conservation organizations.
As a 25-year member of the Texas Forestry Association, Simpson serves as chair of its environmental committee. He has also served on the association’s board of directors and several other natural resource-based committees. Simpson is active in the Society of American Foresters, having chaired the National Committee on Forest Policy, served on the board of directors, and held several state and local chapter offices. He also served two terms (four years) leading the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) Water Resources Committee.
Simpson’s leadership skills were sharpened through his participation in the Texas A&M AgriLife Emerging Leaders and Advanced Leadership Programs, and the Harvard-Kennedy School of Senior Executives in State and Local Government.
Simpson is one of 13 professionals to receive the Regents Fellow Service Award this year.
The Regents Fellow Service Awards program was established in 1998 and the Regents Professor Awards program in 1996, recognizing employees who have made exemplary contributions to their university or agency and to the people of Texas.
Read more about this year’s awards at Regents Approve 17 Regents Professors, 13 Regents Fellows – A&M System News and https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2025/11/18/board-of-regents-honors-nine-texas-am-agrilife-faculty-professionals/.
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