Director, Crop and Plant Industry Programs, Seed Quality, Organic Certification, Plant Quality, Grain Warehouse and Hemp Programs
Texas Department of Agriculture-Industrial Hemp, Texas, United States
I began my career with TDA in 1987 while attending Texas Tech University, where I was an Ag Science Major. I first worked as a Seed Analyst in the TDA Lubbock Seed Lab for two years; next, I worked as a Pesticide Inspector for 7 seven years in Lubbock. In 1995, I was offered an opportunity to move to Austin to work in mid-management in the TDA Pesticide Division. Over the next several years, I would eventually promote to a Senior Management Position within the Regulatory Division of TDA, where I retired in 2016. Upon retirement, I worked in a sales position for Nachurs Fertilizer for a year. In 2018, I returned to TDA as an Emergency Management Coordinator. However, I found my way back to the TDA Regulatory Division where I am currently the Director of the Crop and Plant Industries Programs, where I manage the Hemp, Organic, Grain Warehouse and Seed Quality Programs for TDA.
During my TDA career I was afforded the opportunity to be a cohort of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, TALL Class V. I consider myself fortunate and honored to be an alumnus of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program.
My wife, Theresa, and I, will celebrate 38 years of marriage this year! We have 4 children; 3 daughters, Katarina, Victoria (TAMU ’19), Isabella and 1 son, Joaquin; one granddaughter, 10, and 4 year-old grandson!
I was born and raised in Brownfield Texas. As a young boy, I spent many hours on my grandfather’s cotton and grain sorghum farm in northwestern Terry County. However, I learned the value of a job well done and got my work ethic from my father, who was a small, family-business owner. I am forever grateful for the many life lessons I learned from my mother and father.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM CENTRAL TIME