The appointment ends a two-month search for a replacement for McKinney, who died in December after more than 30 years service on the board.

A search committee, consisting of board members Dr. John Freeman, Dr. Charles Warren and Marie Eteridge, interviewed several candidates before submitting Barr's name to the board.

“Although we lost many years of dedication and wisdom with the passing of Don McKinney, I am certain that Mr. Barr will be an excellent replacement,” Freeman said in a statement. “He has a tremendous amount of knowledge in the agricultural and farming industry and that will be a benefit to this board.”

Barr is the second member of his family to serve as a college trustee — his father, Buddy Barr, was a college board member from 1975 until 1994.

Barr is a graduate of both Coahoma High School and Texas Tech University and has more than 30 years of experience in farming and ranching. He has served on boards for the Big Spring Co-op Gin, Howard County Farm Bureau and was a member of the Howard County Farm Service Agency County Committee.

“Agriculture is an important industry to our service area and Mr. Barr brings an exceptional set of skills and knowledge to the table,” Freeman said. “Through his exposure and experience in the business of farming and ranching, he will bring some new insight to the board.”

Barr will serve until 2010, at which time a special election will be called to fill the final two years of McKinney's unexpired term.

Barr will be formally sworn in as a trustee when the board next meets on March 23.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it