Commission

TAHC regulations are made and adopted by 13 governor-appointed commissioners who represent the general public and various livestock industries and professions. The commissioners serve staggered six-year terms and meet as needed to study the regulatory needs of the agency, review public comments on proposed regulation changes, and adopt new rules when necessary.

Current Commissioners

Coleman Locke
TAHC Chairman
Represents Cattle Raisers

Chairman Locke of Wharton, Texas, is a partner and manager of the Locke Division of J.D. Hudgins Ranch and the president of J.D. Hudgins, Inc. He is an honorary director of the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, lifetime committee member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He is also a past president and lifetime director of the American Brahman Breeders Association and Texas Brahman Association, and past chairman of the Texas Beef Council and the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas. Locke received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Abilene Christian University. His term as TAHC Chairman is set to expire September 6, 2027.

Ali Broyles, D.V.M.
Represents Veterinary Medicine Practitioners

Commission Broyles of Weatherford, Texas, is an Associate Equine Surgeon at Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery. She is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Thoroughbred Association, and the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians. Broyles received a BS in Animal Science from Middle Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. Her term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2027.

Jimmie Ruth Evans
Represents the Sheep and Goat Industry

Commissioner Evans of San Antonio is a rancher and partner of Wittenburg Ranch. She is a member and past president of the San Antonio Livestock and Rodeo, and the honorary chair of the Young Women's Leadership Academy. Evans is also a member and past president of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Evans received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Texas Tech University. Her term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2025.

Melanie Johnson, Ed.D.
Represents the General Public

Commissioner Johnson of Houston is the president and CEO of Collaborative for Children. She previously served as president and CEO of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science. Prior to this appointment, she served as NASA's Space Center Houston's Director of Education. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the HCA Houston Medical Center and the Foundation Board of Texas Southern University, and former member of the Council of the Texas Association of Museums. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in International Trade and French from Auburn University, a Master of Hospitality Management from the University of Houston, and a Doctorate of Education from Texas Southern University. Her term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2025.

Kenneth "Ken" Jordan
Represents the Livestock Market Industry

Commissioner Jordan of San Saba, Texas, is the owner and operator of K Jordan Cattle Auctions and is the Mayor of San Saba. He is a member of the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, Livestock Marketing Council, National Finance Credit Corporation of Texas, and San Saba Chamber of Commerce. Jordan received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. His term as a TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2027.

Anthony E. "T.J." Klein, Jr.
Represents the Poultry Industry

Commissioner Klein of College Station, Texas, serves as the director of Texas operations for MPS Egg Farms. He currently oversees the production and processing at multiple poultry facilities, the operations of the Texas feed mill, a shipping and distribution warehouse, and Texas sales. Klein received a Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science from Texas A&M University. He is the first vice president of the Texas Poultry Federation and former president of the Texas Egg Council. He is a member of the Texas Poultry Improvement Association, United Egg Producers, Bryan-College Station Agribusiness Council, and American Egg Board. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2029.

Barret J. Klein
Represents the Swine Industry

Commissioner Klein of Boerne is owner of Klein Farms and Klein Smoked Meats, LLC. He is a member and former president of the Texas Pork Producers Association, National Spotted Swine Association, Texas Association of Meat Processors, and the Kendall County Economic Development Corporation. He is also a volunteer with Kendall County 4-H, Kendall County FFA, and the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. Klein received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2025.

Joe Leathers
Represents the Equine Industry

Commissioner Leathers of Guthrie is the general manager of 6666 Ranch. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, U.S. CattleTrace, Inc., and is a member of the National Ranching Heritage Association. Leathers attended Clarendon College. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2025.

Thomas "Tommy" Oates
Represents the Exotic Livestock and Fowl Industry

Commissioner Oates of Huntsville is a rancher and owner of Huntsville Livestock. He currently serves as the president of the Exotic Wildlife Association. Oates attended Sam Houston State University. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2025.

Joseph G. "Joe" Osterkamp
Represents the Dairy Industry

Commissioner Osterkamp of Farwell is owner and partner of Stonegate Farms. Osterkamp received a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from Southwestern University in Georgetown. He is a member of the Select Milk Producers COOP, member and former chairman of the Texas Association of Dairymen, and a member and former president of the Rotary Club of Muleshoe. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2029.

Wendee L. Payne, Ph.D.
Represents the General Public

Commissioner Payne of Floydada is an associate solution consultant for Infor. Dr. Payne received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Animal Science from West Texas A&M University and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, with an emphasis in bovine reproductive physiology and equine reproductive physiology, respectively, from Texas Tech University. She volunteers for the Therapeutic Riding Center at Texas Tech University and is heavily involved in Lubbock Alumnae Panhellenic as the official representative for her sorority. Her term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2029.

Johnny E. Trotter
Represents the Feedlot Industry

Commissioner Trotter of Hereford serves as president of Livestock Investors LTD and owner of Bar G Feedyard. Trotter received an honorary doctorate in Agricultural Business and Economics from West Texas A&M University. He is currently a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and served as an executive committee member and past president. He is also a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Wheat Growers, and Texas Farm Bureau. Commissioner Trotter is president of the executive committee for the Spicer Gripp Memorial Youth Foundation, district representative for the West Texas Rehab Cattle Auction, past executive committee member and trustee of the American Horse Council, and current member of the Texas A&M University and West Texas A&M University VERO Advisory Council. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2029.

Benjamin Turner, Ph.D.
Represents the General Public

Commissioner Turner of Kingsville, Texas, is an Associate Professor of Natural Resource Management at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He is a member of the Society for Range Management, the System Dynamics Society, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Turner received a BA in Agriculture, is a Cum Laude Graduate from Sam Houston State University, an MSc in Agribusiness from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, and a PhD in Philosophy in Life Sciences and Natural Resource Management from South Dakota State University. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2027.