Kent R. Hance

Kent R. Hance is native of Dimmitt, Texas, and the founding partner of the Austin law firm Hance Scarborough, L.L.P. Hance earned a B.B.A. from Texas Tech University and a law degree from the University of Texas. After working on the campaign of former governor Preston Smith, Hance worked in private practice and as a law professor at Texas Tech. In 1974, Hance was elected to represent the Lubbock area in the Texas State Senate, and in 1978 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

As a congressman, Hance authored and won passage of President Ronald Reagan’s tax cut plan. After leaving Congress, Hance served as a commissioner and chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. From 2006 to 2014, Hance served his alma mater as Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, helping raise more than $1.2 billion and increasing the system’s student enrollment by 45%. Hance currently serves as Chancellor Emeritus of Texas Tech, teaches a seminar class on leadership at Texas Tech, and works at his law firm representing clients in Texas and Washington, D.C.