I posted this anon in your wiki comments but i'll post it here as well:
In Alpha 2.1 Higgins will now take Commissions from the board. I usually arrive at 7:50 am to start spamming the E button for 8am. Book it to the board and hold on to a mission that looks promising. from what I see he will not take the one that you are holding. Even if you may reject it. I have restarted a day so I can see all the commissions and grab the most favored before Higgins.