Jerry Patterson
The Honorable Jerry Patterson has built a distinguished career in military service, public leadership, and land management. A retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and former Texas Land Commissioner, Patterson has spent decades advocating for veterans, managing Texas’ vast public lands, and shaping policies that have left a lasting impact on the state.
Patterson is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1969. He later completed advanced military education at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. After commissioning as a Marine Corps officer, Patterson volunteered for duty in Vietnam in 1972 and went on to serve 24 years in active and reserve service as a Naval Flight Officer, retiring in 1993. His time in the military instilled in him a deep commitment to leadership, service, and strategic decision-making.
In 1992, Patterson was elected to the Texas Senate, representing District 11. During his tenure, he played a key role in shaping state policy, authoring and passing Texas’ historic concealed handgun law and leading the passage of legislation on coastal management, home equity lending, and veterans’ benefits. He also established the Texas State Veterans Home Program, ensuring long-term care for Texas veterans, and chaired the first-ever Texas Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, solidifying his role as a leading advocate for military families.
In 2002, Texans elected Patterson as the 27th Texas Land Commissioner, a role in which he served for three terms until 2015. As the head of the Texas General Land Office (GLO), he oversaw record-breaking revenues in real estate and oil & gas income, ensuring strong returns for Texas’ Permanent School Fund. As Chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board (TVLB), he presided over the largest expansion of state veterans’ benefits in Texas history, making housing and financial resources more accessible to those who served. Patterson also led the state’s response to Hurricane Ike disaster recovery, working closely with local and federal partners to rebuild affected communities.
His efforts in preserving Texas history earned him the title of 2007 Texan of the Year. He also served as President of the Western States Land Commissioners Association (NASTL), where he collaborated with other states on land use policies and resource management strategies.
Since 2015, Patterson has brought his extensive expertise in public policy, land management, and veterans’ affairs to the private sector as a consultant with J.L. Powers & Associates. He continues to advise on regulatory strategy, energy development, and veteran advocacy, applying his decades of experience to help organizations navigate complex policy and governance challenges.