Upon officially being named Chancellor of The University of Texas System at the August 20 meeting of the Board of Regents, John M. Zerwas, MD, has announced his executive leadership team. Zerwas served as Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs since 2019 before being named Interim Chancellor on June 1, 2025.

"I'm honored by the extraordinary opportunity granted to me by Chairman Eltife and the entire Board of Regents, and I'm grateful to work with my senior team and all the UT institution presidents as we support the important missions and growth of the campuses," said Zerwas. "In naming my executive leadership team, I didn't need to look beyond our own professionals here at the UT System. They are among the most experienced, high performing, ethical and strategic advisors anywhere in higher education."

The executive leadership team is outlined below:

• Archie Holmes, PhD, will continue to serve as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, providing administrative oversight and guidance to the vast academic enterprise across UT institutions as they grow their academic, research and innovation, and integration activities.
• Jonathan Pruitt, who earlier this year transitioned from Executive Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs to Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, is overseeing all finance and budget divisions, benefits, technology services, real estate, and human resources portfolios.
• Julia Rathgeber, JD, will now serve as Deputy Chancellor and Senior Policy Advisor, providing senior guidance to the Chancellor and support to the regents in the areas of policy, law, and state and federal governmental affairs and continue to lead the Office of Governmental Relations.
• Randa Safady, PhD, will continue to serve as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, Communications, and Advancement Services as the UT System's chief communications and advancement officer, leading official communications, media relations, issues management, philanthropy, and endowment administration.
• Dan Sharphorn, JD, will continue his role as Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, providing legal advice to the Chancellor, presidents, and UT institutions and overseeing the UT System attorneys in areas such as intellectual property, contracts, health law, student affairs, litigation, compliance, and ethics.
• Stacey Napier, JD, General Counsel to the Board of Regents, and a direct report to the Board, will continue to serve as a liaison to the executive leadership team and collaborate with the Chancellor and UT System executives on board matters.

Last month, Zerwas advanced Melissa Villarreal García, JD, to Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor. Garcia, who served as the UT System's Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, is now advising the Chancellor on a vast array of strategic operational, business, and management matters to assist in advancing the UT System's mission and vision.

Chancellor Zerwas will continue to provide executive leadership over Health Affairs while David Lakey, MD, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, will lead more of the office's operational activities.