Dr. Joseph S. Bailes is a medical oncologist with substantial experience in legislation, public policy and advocacy, as well as the business aspects of the practice of oncology and of medicine generally.  For nearly two decades, Dr. Bailes has served in various leadership capacities for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).  During his ten years as Chair of ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee, he led a number of legislative and regulatory initiatives that have helped to shape the current environment for regulation and reimbursement of cancer care in the United States.  He also oversaw the creation of ASCO's State/Regional Affiliates Program to enhance participation of community oncologists in the activities of the national organization.  He served on the ASCO Board of Directors in the mid-1990's and was elected President of ASCO in 1999-2000.

Cindy Brinker Simmons was appointed to the Oversight Committee by Speaker Tom Craddick on March 14, 2008.  Ms. Simmons also serves as the Secretary for the executive committee of the Oversight Committee.  She works closely with CPRIT on communication strategy and is a strong advocate for childhood cancer research.  Ms. Simmons co-founded the public relations firm of Brinker, Jeffett & Associates which has now merged and is Levenson & Brinker Public Relations. Ms. Simmons serves as president of the award-winning, full-service strategic communications company.

Barbara Canales was appointed to the Oversight Committee by Speaker Joe Straus on April 12, 2010.  Ms. Canales was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is the president of Canales Exploration LLC, an oil and gas exploration company she founded in 2004 that is involved with natural gas development in south Texas.  In honor of her daughter who is a cancer survivor, Ms. Canales founded the Ready or Not Foundation, a charitable organization that raises research dollars for better treatments and a cure for pediatric brain cancer.

Judge Faith Johnson was appointed to the Oversight Committee by Governor Rick Perry May 6, 2009.  Judge Johnson is recognized as a trailblazer in the legal field and brings that experience to her service on the Oversight Committee.  In 1989, Judge Johnson became the first African-American woman to be appointed to the position of State Criminal District Court Judge in Texas.  Prior to her appointment, she was the first African-American woman to attain the highly regarded status of Chief Felony Prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

A former Principal of P3 Economics, an economic development consulting and government relations firm in Brownsville, Texas; Alex Meade now serves as the CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation.  As a consultant, he was dedicated to identifying and marketing opportunities in the Texas Rio Grande Valley communities, focusing specifically on growth areas throughout the Valley corridor. He specialized in establishing public-private partnerships (P3s), conducting economic and market studies, strategic planning, and site selection.

Walker N. Moody was appointed to the Oversight Committee of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas by Governor Rick Perry on November 7, 2011. Mr. Moody is a cancer survivor and lifelong volunteer for cancer prevention and children's charities. He is currently a Partner at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. (TPH), serving as the Chief Operating Officer of TPH Asset Management.  TPH Asset Management is the alternative asset management affiliate of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., an investment and merchant bank focused exclusively on energy with its headquarters in Houston, Texas, and offices in Denver, New York and London.

Charles W. Tate, was appointed to the Oversight Committee by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst on June 20, 2008.  Mr. Tate serves on the executive committee of the Oversight Committee, as well as chairing the Economic Development and Commercialization subcommittee.  His lifelong venture capital experience informs much of the work that he does with CPRIT to establish and promote commercialization initiatives.  Mr. Tate is the chairman and founder of Capital Royalty, LP., a private equity firm targeting investments in the healthcare industry.

Mark E. Watson, Jr. is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame with a degree in finance.

In 1983, he organized a specialty insurance company, Titan Holdings, Inc., which became a member of the New York Stock Exchange.  Mr. Watson owned and operated the Diamond K Ranch, located near Sisterdale, Texas.  Mr. Watson served 6 years as a member of The Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission.

General Abbott serves as one of the statutorily-designated members of the Oversight Committee.  He was reelected as the 50th Attorney General of Texas in November 2010.  Prior to his election as attorney general, Greg Abbott served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a State District Judge in Harris County.  As the state's chief law enforcement official, Attorney General Abbott has made protecting families and values the focus of his administration. Shortly after taking office, Attorney General Abbott established a Cyber Crimes Unit to arrest criminals who use the Internet to prey upon children; a Fugitive Unit to arrest convicted sex offenders who violate their parole; and an expanded Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to crack down on elder abuse and waste of taxpayer dollars.

Susan Combs serves as one of the statutorily-designated members of the Oversight Committee.  She was elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010. She immediately set an innovative course of action to transform state government and prepare Texas for the future beginning her first day in office on Jan. 1, 2007.  As Comptroller, Ms. Combs is the state’s chief financial officer. She manages the state’s treasury operations to monitor Texas’ fiscal health, guides legislative decision makers by estimating state revenues and ensures state taxes are collected fairly and efficiently to fund vital programs and services for the people of Texas.  Ms. Combs is committed to ensuring that government works as efficiently as possible.