CPRIT is governed by 9 dedicated Texans who together comprise the Oversight Committee. Oversight Committee members are appointed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House to serve staggered terms. The Oversight Committee meets at least once every quarter and is led by an Executive Committee.
David A. Cummings, M.D.
Presiding Officer
David A. Cummings, M.D. is a practicing medical oncologist from San Angelo, Texas. His career in cancer medicine has spanned over 20 years primarily in West Texas. He has led or served on hospital committees including Cancer Committee, Quality Management Committee, Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, and Credentialing Committees of several West Texas health institutions. He is currently a community medical oncologist at the Shannon Clinic in San Angelo. He is Board Certified in Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). He is a member of the Texas Medical Association and past president of the Concho Valley County Medical Society. Dr. Cummings is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH). His community involvements include appointment to the City of San Angelo Development Corporation (COSADC), a past president of the board of the San Angelo Symphony and past president of the Texas Southwest Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Cummings received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine and completed residency and fellowship training at Scott & White/Texas A&M Health Sciences Center. Having been initially appointed by Governor Abbott in 2018, Dr. Cummings is currently serving his second term on the CPRIT Oversight Committee.
Cindy Barberio Payne
Vice Presiding Officer
Cindy Barberio Payne of Spring Branch is a self-employed Certified Public Accountant with expertise in financial consulting, asset management, and financial statement analysis. In addition to other professional roles, she previously served as chief financial officer for Baptist Child & Family Services. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.
Board Secretary
Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, native of Pharr, was elected into office in 2015, re-elected in 2019, and is currently serving his second term as Mayor of the City of Pharr, representing one of the largest cities in South Texas. Hernandez is a pediatric surgeon, bariatric surgeon, director of surgical services, hospital compliance officer, and business professional by trade. As mayor, Dr. Hernandez values the importance of creating partnerships with neighboring communities, private industry, and local school districts. He continues to be a tireless advocate for expanding educational opportunities, promoting jobs and economic development, enhancing international trade and commerce, and improving transportation and infrastructure. As mayor, Hernandez has helped Pharr emerge as a regional leader in South Texas and on the state, national, and international levels. Under Hernandez’s leadership, Pharr has secured more than $400 million dollars in state and federal funding for major transportation, infrastructure, and bridge projects. Hernandez was instrumental in leading efforts to merge South Texas’ three Metropolitan Planning Organizations into the Rio Grande Valley MPO, where he now serves as Chair. Hernandez continues to forge partnerships with all industries and at all levels, working together to provide opportunities for Pharr residents and families to thrive.
Donald "Dee" Margo
Donald R. "Dee" Margo of El Paso is the owner of Margo Partners, Inc. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010 and served on the Appropriations Committee and the Land and Resource Management Committee. He also served as President of the El Paso Independent School District Board of Managers, and then as Mayor of the City of El Paso from 2017 to 2021.
Will Montgomery
Mr. Montgomery is a partner at WMontgomery Law Group, PLLC, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
In recent comments, he expressed a personal stake in helping to steer CPRIT toward success in championing treatments and cures for cancer: "Cancer is a scourge that has touched families throughout Texas, including my own", Montgomery told D Healthcare Daily.
Mahendra C. Patel, M.D., P.A.
Dr. Mahendra C. Patel is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist in San Antonio. He has an extensive record of leadership in the San Antonio medical community, including his time as the Medical Board Chair at Methodist Healthcare System and as the Chief of Staff at Methodist Children’s Hospital. While at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, he was instrumental in developing the division of pediatric neuro-oncology as a principal investigator on numerous phase one/two clinical trials researching brain tumors in pediatric patients.
William Rice, M.D.
William Rice, M.D. is senior vice president of clinical innovation for St. David’s Healthcare, and the Central and West Texas Division of the Hospital Corporation of America. In this role, Dr. Rice supports a portfolio of clinical initiatives focused on quality and safety, informatics initiatives focused on usability, variation, advanced analytics and modeling, and works to support a formalized innovation program across the 10,000-employee health system infrastructure. St. David’s Healthcare has been recognized with a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award — the nation’s highest presidential honor for performance excellence in organizations.
Craig Rosenfeld, M.D.
Dr. Craig S. Rosenfeld is well-known in the field of biotechnology and oncology after a distinguished career as a physician, advocate and entrepreneur. At nearly every turn, Rosenfeld has led essential cancer-fighting initiatives ranging from direct patient care and teaching medical students to directing bone marrow transplant facilities and founding biotechnology startups.
Thomas A. Taylor
Thomas A. “Tommy” Taylor is an attorney with more than 47 years of experience representing companies in all facets of their businesses, including long range planning, contract negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, financing, state and federal regulations, alternative dispute resolution and litigation. He holds BBA, JD and LLM degrees, and is licensed in the State of Texas and the Supreme Court of the United States.