L. Frederick “Rick” Francis
L. Frederick Francis is the Chairman of Bank of the West and Francis Properties, Inc. He serves on the Board of Regents for Texas Tech University System and is a Board member of Western Refining, Inc. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for Providence Memorial Hospital and Sierra Medical Center, the El Paso Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Regional Economic Development Corporation Foundation, and is a member of the Paso del Norte Group and the Texas Philosophical Society.
Francis community service has been numerous. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors for Providence Memorial Hospital and Sierra Medical Center; former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and former Chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents. Francis was president of Area 5 (Rocky Mountain States) Boy Scouts of America (2001) and served as president of the Yucca Council Boy Scouts of America (1996), the Sunturians (1993), and Crime Stoppers of El Paso (1989). He was a member of the Executive Committee for the Texas Hospital Trustees (1997-2000) and served as chairman of the Young Presidents Organization (1998). Francis has been active with the Business Advisory Council at the El Paso Community College, the Rotary Club of El Paso, the Better Business Bureau, and the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
Francis is a fourth generation El Pasoan. Honors include the “Silver Beaver” award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1996; the Dean’s “Distinguished Service Award” from Texas Tech University in 2001; and “Outstanding Ex” for Coronado High School in 2005. Francis and his wife, Ginger, were chosen El Paso’s “Philanthropists of the Year” for 2007 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2008, the College of Business at Texas Tech University named Francis a “Distinguished Alumni;” the El Paso Inc. lauded him “El Pasoan of the Year” in 2009; and, in 2010, he was inducted into El Paso’s Business Hall of Fame. His B.B.A. in Finance is from Texas Tech University. He is also a graduate of Texas Tech Intermediate School of Banking, and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking conducted at Southern Methodist University.
