Governor Greg Abbott announced new appointments to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection on Friday. James Mallinger was appointed to the Commission through February 2029. John Ortega was also appointed, and Sue De Villez, Paul Hamilton, and Brandon Wade were reappointed with terms extending to February 2031. Michael Glynn, Jr. was named the new chair of the Commission, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.
James Mallinger, a fire chief in Cedar Park for 29 years, has extensive experience in fire services and emergency management. John Ortega, the current deputy chief of field operations and law enforcement for Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, specializes in arson and explosives. In addition to his new role, Mallinger also teaches at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and Austin Community College, focusing on fire protection education, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Sue De Villez, a retired nurse with a history of community service, joins the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Paul Hamilton, a retired firefighter from the Hereford Volunteer Fire Department, also joins, bringing experience in firefighting and local governance. Brandon Wade, a fire chief from Corpus Christi with 24 years in the Austin Fire Department, adds to the Commission’s expertise. Michael Glynn, a fire captain in Fort Worth and adjunct instructor at Tarrant County College, leads the Commission. Their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, as stated by the Office of the Texas Governor.
