Trinity University Announces New Trustees and Board Leadership

Trinity University is entering a new chapter of board leadership as Cydney C. Donnell assumes the role of chair, Jeffrey W. Mueller ’00 becomes vice chair, and the Board of Trustees welcomes alumni leaders Bruce Blakemore ’80 and Ambassador Robert W. Holleyman II ’76.

Donnell succeeds Ted Beneski P’11, P’14, whose term as chair concluded this May after 14 years of dedicated service and leadership to the university. Beneski will continue serving on the board for an additional three years.

“Ted set a very high standard for what the trustees, and the university as a whole, can accomplish. We will forever be grateful for his leadership,” said Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D., president of Trinity University. “I know Cydney and Jeff also have high expectations, and I look forward to working with them, as well as Bruce and Robert, to elevate Trinity as the ideal liberal arts and sciences university in the country.”

Board Leadership

Donnell has served on Trinity's Board of Trustees since 2019. Throughout her tenure, she has been an advocate for the university's strategic priorities and long-term success.

"I am honored to serve as chair of the Board of Trustees and to continue supporting an institution that means so much to me," said Donnell, a professor emeritus at Texas A&M University’s Mays School of Business with a specialty in real estate. "I am grateful for Ted's leadership and service to Trinity and look forward to working alongside my fellow trustees, President Beasley, and the entire Trinity community to advance the university's mission and vision."

Mueller is a co-founder, partner, and portfolio manager at Mueller Power Partners and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School, where he teaches Compounders. A former U.S. Marine Corps aviator and fighter tactics instructor. Mueller majored in communication and business administration and captained the men's tennis team to the 2000 NCAA Championship. He later earned an MBA from Columbia Business School, graduating with Honors and Distinction.

Bruce Blakemore ’80

Blakemore is president of Primavera Resources, Inc., a San Antonio-based oil and gas company. He graduated from Trinity with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and spent decades building a successful career in the energy industry, developing a reputation for resilience, entrepreneurship, and strategic leadership.

Blakemore's connection to Trinity spans generations. His father, William Blakemore II, served as a Trinity trustee for nearly three decades, from 1970 to 1998.

“Trinity University played an important role in shaping my life and career, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to give back through service on the Board of Trustees,” Blakemore said. “I look forward to supporting Trinity’s mission and ensuring future generations of students benefit from the same transformative experience that I had.”

Ambassador Robert W. Holleyman II ’76

Ambassador Holleyman recently retired following a distinguished career in international trade, technology policy, and public affairs. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of C&M International, a global government affairs and public policy consulting firm. Prior to that role, he served as Deputy United States Trade Representative from 2014 to 2017 under former President Barack Obama, earning the rank of ambassador. He led U.S.-Asia trade policy and negotiations and oversaw issues involving services, investment, innovation, and intellectual property.

A recognized leader in technology policy, Holleyman helped establish the global framework for software copyright protection and, as president and CEO of BSA The Software Alliance, led international efforts to combat software piracy and support innovation worldwide. Throughout his career, he has testified before the U.S. Congress, the European Commission, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and other international bodies on technology, trade, and economic policy matters.

Holleyman has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Trinity, a law degree from Louisiana State University, and he completed the Stanford Executive Program.

"It is a privilege to return to Trinity in this capacity and serve an institution that has had a lasting impact on my life,” Holleyman said. “Trinity's commitment to academic excellence, critical thinking, and global engagement is more important than ever, and I look forward to contributing to the university's continued growth and success."