Ben F. Vaughan, III has been awarded the Walter W. Fondren, III Conservation Leadership Award by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) National Board of Directors for his years of marine conservation work on the state and national levels. He joins a small group of conservation leaders who have received the award, including the award’s namesake, Walter Fondren.
As a board member for CCA’s executive committees, Vaughan has worked tirelessly to push for strong conservation measures to protect ocean resources and has been a leading voice for the importance of freshwater inflows in ensuring the health and longevity of coastal estuaries and bays.
“Ben has always had a unique ability to see the future of conservation,” said Patrick Murray, president of CCA. “Be it bluefin tuna or environmental inflows, Ben has been uncanny in his skill in identifying what issues will truly impact our marine resources, and he is always willing to exert his strong skill sets, time and effort to make sure conservation prevails.”
Vaughan currently serves as counsel for Graves, Dougherty, Hearon, & Moody, and is actively involved in the community. He is a member of the board of trustees for the Dougherty Foundation and the James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation. He is also the president of the Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation and an advisory board member of The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. From 1989 to 1999, Vaughan was chairman of the Caesar Kleberg Institute Advisory Board.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Vaughan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and his law degree with honors from The University of Texas.</p