AUSTIN -- Rep. Bryan Hughes (R-Marshall) and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams announced the appointment of Marshall Mayor Ed Smith and Kilgore native Bill Maxwell to the FutureGen Texas Advisory Board, a panel charged with approving potential host sites for FutureGen, a $1 billion US Dept. of Energy initiative to design, build and operate the world's cleanest power plant.

"Mayor Smith is an excellent choice for this board," said Rep. Bryan Hughes. "His vast experience as an oil and gas geologist and his commitment to East Texas give him a great perspective on this project."

"Bill Maxwell has great expertise in oil operations, and his advice will be helpful to the State of Texas," said Rep. Hughes. Maxwell, a third generation oilman, founded Maxima Energy Corporation in 1984 and remains the owner and operator of the oil production company.