Blinn Alumni and Friends Association Names Six to its 2021 Hall of Honor Class
MATT BENTKE
Matt Bentke, Dr. A.C. “Buddy” Krizan, Hunter Goodwin, Kenneth Mutscher, Dathan C. Voelter, and Steve Westbrook were recognized during a special luncheon The Blinn College Alumni and Friends Association inducted six civic leaders into its Hall of Honor during a special luncheon in October. The ceremony honored alumnus and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative General Manager/CEO Matt Bentke, RELLIS External Academic Advisory Council Chair Hunter Goodwin, decorated military veteran and Blinn Foundation Board of Directors member Dr. A.C. “Buddy” Krizan, former Blinn College Foundation Director and Blinn alumnus Kenneth Mutscher, alumnus and Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Company Director Dathan C. Voelter, and alumnus and former Blinn College trustee Steve Westbrook. The Hall of Honor recognizes Blinn’s most distinguished alumni, local business leaders, and those who have made a significant impact in their communities or professions. Inductees are recognized at a luncheon during Blinn’s homecoming week each year.
A 1993 Blinn College graduate who played on the Buccaneers’ 1992 Junior College World Series baseball team, Matt Bentke is the General Manager/CEO of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, the fifth-largest electric cooperative in the State of Texas and the 35th-largest in the United States. Bentke became CEO in 2016, has been at Bluebonnet for 21 years, and has served Bluebonnet in financial and operations roles with a focus on members, employees, community and safety. “From a Blinn College student-athlete to the CEO of one of the nation’s largest electric cooperatives, Matt Bentke is a shining example of the work ethic and values the foundation of Blinn College is built upon,” wrote Hondo Powell in nominating Bentke. Bentke was born and raised in Brenham. Selected as a Brenham Independent School District Distinguished Alumnus in 2017, Bentke played baseball for Brenham High School, including the 1988 state champion and 1989 state tournament teams, and was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft. After graduating from Blinn in 1993, he attended Texas A&M University, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration/Management. Bentke serves on the boards for Baylor Scott & White, the Brenham Economic Development Foundation, the GenTex Power Corporation and Texas Public Power Association, and the Texas Electric Cooperatives Government Relations committee. He and his wife Rachel have two children: a daughter, Brooke, and a son, Drake.
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