About Us

Founder

The late Murray Watson was one of the founders of the Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc., and served as General Counsel, President and CEO since its organization in 1976 until his death in 2018. Mr. Watson was the Managing Partner of his law firm and oversaw his family feed store and cattle operations in Central Texas. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1957 to 1963 and in the Texas State Senate from 1963 to 1973. His public service also included serving as General Counsel of Texas State Technical College for 26 years. Mr. Watson was a graduate of Baylor University, earning the degrees of Bachelor of Business Administration in 1952 and Bachelor of Law in 1954.

President

Ben Litle is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc. (Brazos). Mr. Litle has over 15 years of experience in the student lending business. Prior to joining Brazos in 2010, Mr. Litle served as a principal in the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP. Mr. Litle was voted as one of the top public finance attorneys under the age of 40 in the State of Ohio in 2009 and was named as a “Rising Star” by Ohio Super Lawyers in 2010. Mr. Litle graduated cum laude from Miami University with a B.A. in economics and obtained his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.

Board Vice President

Cynthia Lewis worked over 40 years in the insurance business as a property and casualty agent with Anco Pioneer Insurance in Mart and Waco. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Mathematics. Her volunteer commitments include past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Central Texas, past treasurer of the McLennan Community College Foundation Board, Volunteer Council Member at the Waco Center for Youth and The Advisory Council of the Mart Independent School District Foundation. Mrs. Lewis was also a graduate assistant at Sam Houston State University and a teacher at Huntsville High School. She has served on the board of the Heart of Texas Region Mental Health Mental Retardation Center for 35 years. She has been honored with the Outstanding Civic Award from the Mart Chamber of Commerce, Young Agent of the Year for the Independent Agents of Texas, and with her family, Texas Special Olympics Area 12 Family of the Year. She and her husband, Jim, have two sons.

Treasurer

Mr. Turman joined Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc. in 1992, where he serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for all of the financial affairs, including accounting, treasury management, structured finance, and human resources. Mr. Turman is a graduate of Baylor University where he earned the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business in Taxation. He has served as speaker and panelist at various student loan and asset securitization conferences. He and his wife, Lynda, have three daughters and are proud grandparents of three wonderful grandsons.

Director

Dana Broadway is President of PB&H Benefits, L.L.C., the firm's employee benefit practice providing third party administration for flexible benefit and retirement plans. She is an honors graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Masters of Accountancy. Ms. Broadway started as an intern for the firm in 2002. She has experience in all areas of employee benefit practice with more than 10 years focused in employee benefits. Ms. Broadway currently oversees all daily trading and recordkeeping functions, manages client service teams, develops marketing materials and provides sales and client development services. She is working toward her Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. She is a member of the Heart of Texas Society of Human Resource Management, American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries and Leadership Waco Class XXIX. Dana lives in Waco with her husband and two sons.

Assistant Secretary

Ms. Davis has served as Assistant Secretary of Brazos Higher Education Service Corporation, Inc. since 2008. Prior to that time, Ms. Davis was employed by Murray Watson, Jr. & Associates from 2001 to 2008. Her professional experience includes more than 24 years as a legal assistant. Ms. Davis and her husband, Bruce, have three grown children and a grandson.

Director

Dana Lee Haines of Baylor’s Student Development office has served the university for more than 30 years. She received the President’s Volunteer Service Award as both a silver and bronze recipient as well as the Outstanding Staff Member award. She received the Chester E. Berry Scholar Award for her work in student development while the Junior League of Waco presented her with its Golden Wing Award in 2005. She earned her bachelor, masters and doctorate from Baylor and is author of the book "Time for Thought: A Study of Community College Student Attitudes Related to Service Learning."

Director

CPA Jeanne Wray has more than 30 years of experience in public accounting tax services. Originally from Mart, Texas, Jeanne earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor University. Currently living in the Dallas area, she has worked for Steve Hill & Associates, Certified Public Accountants in Plano and PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Dallas. She is a member of the finance committee for Valley Ranch Baptist Church in Coppell, Texas, and previously served in various capacities including treasurer, Ministry Placement committee member and Church Council member. She served as treasurer for the Coppell Gifted Association and the Coppell High School Band Boosters and facilitated the Destination Imagination program in Coppell ISD and managed teams at Lakeside Elementary.