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.

J.P. Steelman

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.

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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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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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Christopher G. Cantu

Member

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About Christopher G. Cantu

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Christopher G. Cantu of Round Rock is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones. He previously served in the United States Air Force, earning the rank of Colonel and received an Honorable Discharge. He is a member of the Air Force Association, Round Rock Rotary and is a Board Member of Catholic Charities of Central Texas. Cantu received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in Information Management from Webster University, and a Master of Arts from Air University in Military Science.

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David Coatney

Member

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About David Coatney

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David Coatney of College Station is Chief Executive Officer for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and was an active firefighter for over 33 years prior to joining TEEX. He is chair of Texas First Responder Advisory Council, senior member of Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and a member of TDEM Advisory Committee, FEMA Region 6 Advisory Committee, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Coatney served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force Reserve, receiving an Honorable Discharge from both branches. Coatney received a Bachelor of Arts in Occupation Education and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Wayland Baptist University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Texas A&M University.

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Michael Glynn

Member

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About Michael Glynn

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Michael Glynn of Roanoke is a Fire Captain for the Fort Worth Fire Department and an adjunct instructor at Tarrant County College. He is the president for the Fort Worth Firefighters Association-IAFF Local 440, trustee for the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters and a member, service representative and labor education instructor for the International Association of Fire Fighters. Glynn received an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science from San Antonio College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University.

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Clyde Loll

Member

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About Clyde Loll

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Clyde Loll is the Chief Compliance & Sustainability Officer for BuffWater, LLC, (Holding Company). BuffWater owns and manages Gulf Marine Contractors and CrossDock Supply where Clyde serves as their VP of QHSE. Clyde’s experience in the QHSE field dates to 1982. He has been in the energy sector for over 30 years with companies ranging from the electric utility, oil & gas onshore/offshore and on-demand marine logistics & supply chain. He has held managerial and executive roles within those organizations. Clyde attended San Jacinto College and Sam Houston State University. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for International Board for Certified Safety Managers and the Industrial Advisory Board for Safety Program Management at Sam Houston State University.

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Tim Smith

Member

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About Tim Smith

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Tim Smith of Lubbock is an Emergency Room Nurse Administrator for Star ER in Lubbock. He is Fire Chief/EMS Director for the West Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department, serves on the Board of Directors for Regional Advisory Council RAC-A, and is president of both the Lubbock County Fire Fighters Association and State Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lubbock Christian University and a Paramedic Certification from Texas Tech University.

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