Brownwood civic leaders showed their appreciation Tuesday to Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, for his help in having Brown County re-designated as being a part of the Texas Hill Country by the state.  Previously, Brown County was included in the Panhandle Plains Region.

County Judge Ray West, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, and Brownwood Chamber CEO Laura Terhune drafted and signed a letter requesting the change which was delivered to Governor Rick Perry’s by Smith in September 2010.

As a show of appreciation, Smith was inducted into the “Brownwood Mafia” during a reception for Brownwood Day in Austin Tuesday.   Former mayor Bert Massey and other members of the “mafia” presented a certificate to Smith.

Massey said that the “mafia” is a group whose goal is to promote Brownwood and recognize those do the same.  “Mafia” certificates have been given to former presidents, governors, Congressmen and U.S. Senators in the past.

Smith said that he was happy to help and will gladly hang the certificate in his office.

Pictured above from left to right is Robert Porter, Bert V. Massey, II, Carter Smith, Stuart Coleman, and Brad Locker.