New TDCJ executive director selected

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 44) – The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) has appointed the new Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).

Bobby Lumpkin was appointed at the scheduled board meeting on Tuesday. He will assume the role effective September 1.

TDCJ says this selection follows a comprehensive nationwide search to identify a leader capable of advancing its mission to enhance public safety and to transform the lives of those under its supervision. Lumpkin brings nearly 35 years of criminal justice experience and most recently held the role of Chief of Operations.

Lumpkin started his career in 1990 as a Correctional Officer with TDCJ and rose through the correctional ranks across multiple units.

He was promoted to Assistant Warden in 1999 and went on to serve in several key leadership roles, including:

• Agency Accreditation Manager in the Administrative Review and Risk Management Division
• Deputy Director in the Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division (PFCMOD),
• Director of the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Logistics Division
• Director of the Correctional Institutions Division, where he was responsible for overseeing operations at over 100 facilities

TDCJ says in addition to extensive operational leadership, Lumpkin has pursued advanced professional development. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management and Leadership (2011) and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (1999), both from Sam Houston State University.

Lumpkin has also contributed significantly at the national level. He has served in leadership roles with the American Correctional Association, including as a Commissioner on Accreditation, Chair of the Correctional Industry Committee, and as a member of the Board of Governors.

His service with the National Correctional Industries Association includes roles as Chairman of the Board, President, and Immediate Past President. Additionally, he maintains long standing affiliations with the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation and the American Probation and Parole Association. At the state level, he is the Immediate Past President of the Texas Corrections Association and a member of the Texas Public Employees Association.

TDCJ says Lumpkin will oversee the day-to-day administration and operation of one of the largest criminal justice agencies in the United States. TDCJ manages the state’s adult prison system, adult parole supervision system, and oversight and funding of the adult probation system.

Lumpkin succeeds Bryan Collier, who served as the executive director since August 2016.