Texas’ new statewide cyber force is setting up shop in downtown San Antonio — and putting classroom-to-career training front and center. Timothy “T.J.” White, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, is leading the newly formed Texas Cyber Command and folding hands-on education and workforce development into the agency’s core mission. The command has already moved into temporary space at UT San Antonio’s downtown campus while officials hash out plans for a permanent headquarters. Local students and instructors say the emphasis on simulation-based training could shorten the path from lab exercises to paid cybersecurity work across the region.
According to UTSA, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed White on Sept. 16, 2025, to lead the agency created by House Bill 150. UTSA President Taylor Eighmy has said the command will protect critical infrastructure and “develop the next generation of cyber leaders,” highlighting the university’s role in training and research. The official description frames the command as the largest state‑based cybersecurity department in the country.
A San Antonio Home For The Command
The new agency signed an agreement to use space in UTSA’s San Pedro 1 building on Dolorosa Street while a permanent location is identified, as reported by the San Antonio Express‑News. University officials told the Express‑News they “have every intention of hosting the command in perpetuity” even as long‑term construction and siting details are still being worked out. The downtown arrangement also marks a notable shift: Spectrum News reported the command is the first state agency to be housed outside the capital in Austin. Officials say co‑locating with UTSA’s College of AI, Cyber and Computing will help link students to the agency’s needs.
Hands‑On Training And Local Pipelines
UTSA’s Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute runs live attack simulations and cyber range exercises designed to mirror on‑the‑job incident response work. “Every server here plays a role,” Joe Mallen, assistant director of experiential learning and the Cyber Range, told the San Antonio Express‑News. Trainees in San Antonio’s Ready to Work program, including students from Texas A&M‑San Antonio, said those simulated attacks help them arrive at interviews with tangible stories and skills employers recognize.
Funding And Scale
The governor’s office said the state committed an initial $135 million to stand up the command when House Bill 150 was signed into law. The Office of the Governor framed that money as support for a cyber threat intelligence center, incident response capabilities and workforce development. Reporting shows the full HQ buildout and operating plan could total roughly $345.2 million through 2027, and officials expect to staff about 65 full‑time employees by late 2026, growing to about 130 the following year. Houston Chronicle
What To Watch Next
White has described the command as both a defensive agency and a workforce accelerator, and the official site says it will partner with federal, state and local entities to detect threats and assist in incident response. Spectrum News captured White’s message in San Antonio: “It’s about Texas and Texans. Their data and their privacy. It is that simple.” Local leaders will be watching whether the command’s training partnerships convert simulation hours into internships, state roles and private‑sector hires.
