Commissioners and Committee Members

The policymaking body of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection is a 13-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The commissioners adopt policies in accordance with Chapter 419 of the Government Code. Upon adoption by the commission, these policies become state administrative laws collected under Title 37, Part 13, of the Texas Administrative Code.

The fire fighter advisory committee has nine members, including six active or retired fire protection personnel and three certified fire protection instructors. At least one member of the committee must be a volunteer fire fighter or fire chief. The committee is responsible for reviewing and commenting on the administrative rules that govern the state's fire service. (The Government Code states that the commission cannot adopt a new rule until the fire fighter advisory committee has had an opportunity to review it.)

A second advisory committee, the curriculum and testing committee, was created by the commission to assist in the creation and upkeep of the certification curriculum.

The commission often creates "ad-hoc" advisory committees to assist with creating and updating curricula, validating test questions, and other related matters. Members of the Texas fire service serve voluntarily on these committees; their willingness to serve is a great tribute to the professional and dedication of the Texas fire service. The agency posts notices on its home page and Facebook page when the commission is seeking volunteers for these committees.

Commissioners

E-mail messages can be forwarded to the commissioners via the agency's "info" address, or, if you prefer, more direct contact information can be furnished on request. Please contact the commission for more information.

Robert Moore

Presiding Officer

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About Robert Moore

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Robert Moore is director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Emergency Services Training Institute. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, National Fire Protection Association, Board of Certified Safety Professionals, State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association (SFFMA), and SFFMA Industrial Emergency Services Board. He is also a former assistant fire chief and paramedic for the Channelview Volunteer Fire Department. Moore received an associate degree from Blinn College, completed his Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic certification at Lee College, and is a graduate of the TEEX Leadership Development Program. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2021.

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J.P. Steelman

Assistant Presiding Officer

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About J.P. Steelman

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J.P. Steelman of Longview is the fire chief of the City of Longview and an instructor at Kilgore College Fire Academy. He serves as regional director for the Northeast Region of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association and is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Texas Task Force-1, Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System, Texas Emergency Management Assistance Team, and the East Texas Council of Government Homeland Security Advisory Committee. Additionally, he is board member of See Saw Children's Place Daycare, past president of the Longview (Greggton) Rotary Club, and a panel member of the Sabine Industrial District Citizen's Advisory Panel. Steelman received an Associate of Applied Science in the area of fire protection technology and his fire protection certification from Kilgore College Fire Academy. He also completed the Executive Fire Officer Program with the National Fire Academy, Texas Fire Chiefs Academy through the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, and the Texas Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Program through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2023.

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Steven C. Tull

Secretary

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About Steven C. Tull

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Steven C. Tull of Valley Mills is a lieutenant fire fighter in the City of Waco Fire Department. He is also president of the Waco Professional Firefighters Association. His term expires Feb. 1, 2021.

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Rusty Wilson

Member

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About Rusty Wilson

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Rusty Wilson is the Fire Chief for the City of Mesquite. He is an Executive Board member of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, an adjunct instructor in the Texas A&M TEEX program and is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Wilson completed the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy, the Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Program and earned his Chief Fire Officer designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He has also served on the State Board of Directors with Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) and served as Medical Coordinator for SOTX Summer Games for several years. Wilson received a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Planning from the University of North Texas and a Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University. His term will expire on February 1, 2025.

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Tommy Anderson

Member

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About Tommy Anderson

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Tommy Anderson of Santa Fe Fire & Rescue is a communication specialist at Marathon Petroleum in Texas City. He was elected to the rank of chief, serving the Alta Loma Volunteer Fire Department for the past 43 years. He is former president of the Galveston County Fire Fighters Association, State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas and the Gulf Coast Fireman's Associations. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2021.

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Carlos Cortez, Jr.

Member

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About Carlos Cortez, Jr.

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Carlos Cortez, Jr. of Harlingen is president and proprietor of Harlingen Flooring. He is a member of the Harlingen Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board. He is also the past chairman of the Stuart Place Country Club Homeowners Association Architectural Committee and past treasurer of the Water's Edge Homeowners Association. Prior to his business and civic career, Cortez received an honorable discharge from the United States Coast Guard. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2021.

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Kelly E. Doster

Member

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About Kelly E. Doster

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Kelly Doster of Frisco is the Technology Construction Manager for Frisco Independent School District responsible for district wide technology classroom and facility Infrastructure. Prior to Frisco ISD, he served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of Network Traffic Controllers, Inc. He is a past councilman and mayor pro-tem for the City of Frisco, where he served on several committees including, Cable Franchise Committee, Frisco Technology Forum and the Master Plan Committee. Doster received a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2021.

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Mike Jones

Member

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About Mike Jones

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Mike Jones of Burleson is a Battalion Chief for the city of Burleson and serves as an adjunct fire instructor at Tarrant County College, Fort Worth. He is former president of the Burleson Professional Firefighters Association. He is a member of the Texas State Firefighters Association and the International Association of Firefighters. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2023.

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Paul Hamilton

Member

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About Paul Hamilton

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Paul Hamilton of Amarillo works for Bushland ISD and volunteers with the Potter County Fire and Rescue. Previously, he served as the Assistant Chief for the Hereford Volunteer Fire Department. He is past president of the State Firemen and Fire Marshals’ of Texas and the Panhandle Fireman and Fire Marshal of Texas. Hamilton graduated from Hereford High School and then was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. His term will expire on February 1, 2025.

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Bob D. Morgan

Member

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About Bob D. Morgan

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Bob D. Morgan of Fort Worth is the senior fire protection engineer with the Fort Worth Fire Department. He is a member of the International Building Code Fire Safety Committee, six different technical committees with the National Fire Protection Association, and the North Central Texas Council of Governments and is chairman of its Fire Advisory Board. Additionally, he is a member and past president of the Fire Prevention Association of North Texas and DFW chapter of Society of Fire Protection Engineers. Morgan received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2023.

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Kelly Vandygriff

Member

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About Kelly Vandygriff

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Kelly Vandygriff of Abernathy is the Fire Chief for the Abernathy Volunteer Fire Department, where he has served the last 30 years. He is past president of the West Texas Fire and Arson Investigators Association and the Panhandle Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association. Currently, he is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Vandygriff graduated from Abernathy High School. His term will expire on February 1, 2025.

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Mala Sharma

Member

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About Mala Sharma

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Mala Sharma of Houston is an attorney with Sharma & Associates, P.C. She is president emeritus of the Houston Northwest Bar Association, board member of the South Asian Bar Association, and chair of the Houston Trial Lawyer's Women's Caucus Events Committee and the Houston Young Lawyer's Association Solo/Small Firm Committee. She is also a member of the Houston Bar Association and State Bar of Texas. Additionally, she volunteers for the Veterans Legal Clinic with the Houston Bar Association and has served as a Guardian Ad Litem. Sharma received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Her term will expire Feb. 1, 2023.

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Sue De Villez

Member

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About Sue De Villez

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Sue De Villez of Georgetown is a retired nurse. She is a life member of the South Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs and The Garden Club of Kentucky Inc. She was a founding member of All Thumbs Garden Club and remains a regular member of Open Gate Garden Club in Paducah, Kentucky. She also was an active volunteer for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and a former board member of the Kentuckiana Girl Scout Council. De Villez received a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Indiana University. Her term will expire on February 1, 2025.

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