Lee F. Jackson

JACKSON, LEE F. (1950~) Lee F. Jackson, member of the Texas House of Representatives and Dallas County Judge, was born in Austin, Texas on January 4, 1950, and was raised in Dallas, where he attended Dallas public schools and graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Duke University and a Master of Public Administration from Southern Methodist University.

He began his career working as an assistant to the Dallas City Manager. He held that position until he ran for and won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. A Republican, Jackson served from 1977 to 1987 and was appointed chairman of the Business and Commerce Committee. He also served on the Public Education Committee. Throughout his tenure in the House, he was recognized for his service by "Texas Monthly" magazine in 1983, when he was named one of the Ten Best Legislators and by "D Magazine" when he was named a Legislative All-Star in 1981.

After leaving the Legislature in 1987, Jackson was elected Dallas County Judge. He held that position until his resignation in 2002. As County Judge, he led the County through several successful bond elections and worked to improve roads, county buildings, juvenile justice services, and job training programs. He also worked to establish the Sixth Floor Museum in the Texas Schoolbook Depository.

During his time with Dallas County, Jackson was named Dallas' Best Public Official by "D Magazine" in 1996 and received the North Central Texas Council of Governments' William J. Pitstick Regional Leadership Award, the Texas Department of Transportation's Russell Perry Award and the North Texas Commission's TEAM Award.

In September, 2002, Jackson resigned his seat as County Judge to become the Chancellor of the University of North Texas (UNT.) The son of two North Texas graduates; he was named an Honorary Alumnus in recognition of his efforts in establishing the UNT Systems Center at Dallas and the future UNT at Dallas.

Information taken from: Materials provided by Lee F. Jackson; Dallas County Online; and Regents name Dallas County Judge Lee Jackson as UNT System chancellor finalist at http://www.unt.edu/inhouse/july52002/chancellorfinalist.htm.