Commissioner Representing Labor

Celebrating Excellence and Perseverance at the 19th Annual Artie Lee Hinds Award Celebration! 🌟

We were honored to attend the 19th annual Artie Lee Hinds Award celebration, hosted by WorkQuest. This inspiring event celebrates the incredible achievements of individuals with disabilities who are making a profound impact in the workforce. 🙂

The evening featured a moving keynote address by Jim Morris, the legendary subject of the Disney film The Rookie. Jim shared his awe-inspiring story of overcoming the odds to become a Major League Baseball player at the age of 35. His message of perseverance and the power of second chances perfectly captured the spirit of the evening. ⚾

Leslie Kruse, Chief of Staff to Commissioner Alberto Trevino III, attended the ceremony along with her ten-year-old son, Kaison, to witness the power of inclusion in action and cheer on every nominee. 🙌

Congratulations to our 2026 Artie Lee Hinds Award Recipient: 🏆 Edwin Nelson of West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind ⭐

We also want to recognize Mr. Herbert Alexander of Fresh Start of Monroe Inc. and Ms. Veronica Surita of Goodwill Industries, who both received special awards for their incredible motivation and perseverance. Your stories inspire us all! 💫

The Artie Lee Hinds Award is more than just a trophy; it is a testament to the fact that when we prioritize an inclusive workforce, everyone wins. Employing people with disabilities isn't just the right thing to do—it brings diverse perspectives, unmatched dedication, and excellence to our communities. 🤲

With 41 incredible nominees this year, the competition was fierce, and the talent was undeniable. Congratulations to all the nominees for the great work you do every day. You are the heartbeat of an inclusive Texas! 👏

A special thank you to Marie Richter, Melanie MacDonald, Fred Weber Jr., John Luna, and Judy Maggio for your hard work and dedication in making this celebration such a success. ⭐

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” 🌟

Texans with disabilities bring skills, creativity, and determination that strengthen our workplace, our communities, and our economy. Employers who recruit, hire, and advance people with disabilities gain talent, perspective, and resilience, and Texas is stronger for it. 🙂

Inclusion makes teams stronger, innovative, and more dynamic. Let’s celebrate everyone who helps build Texas. 🎉

It was a privilege to attend the Workforce Innovation Network Texas Q3 Meeting, team. 🌟

Texas' 28 Workforce Development Boards are the backbone of our state's employment infrastructure. Convening these directors is essential to advancing shared solutions and supporting a workforce system where employers and job seekers alike can achieve lasting economic prosperity. 🤝

The WIN Conference provides a critical forum for our workforce partners to address challenges, ask difficult questions, and identify opportunities to strengthen communities statewide. Thank you to the leaders who facilitated these important discussions. 👏

Sincere thanks to our speakers — Hon. John Cowen Jr., Hon. Eddie Trevino Jr., Commissioner Brent Connett, Lisa McDaniel, Yasmin Fallahkhair, Leslie Cantu, Ashley Harris, Chelsea Talley, Dr. Patrick Burchfield, Laurie Larrea, Ellen Riddleberger, and Valerie Secker — and to Texas State Representatives Erin Gamez and Ryan Guillen for joining us. 🙌 🤠

I also want to extend a personal thank you to my staff who joined me for this meeting; your hard work and commitment to our mission do not go unnoticed. Finally, thank you to the Gladys Porter Zoo, SpaceX, and Rancho Encino Equine Life Skills for the unique and memorable experiences you provided our group—you truly showcased the best of the region. 🎉

Together, we are building a stronger Texas workforce. 💪

Proud to be at the 10th Annual Apprenticeship Texas Conference hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission – a gathering of employers, educators, and workforce leaders from across the state who are just as committed to apprenticeships as I am. This year's theme - Building on the Past, Expanding Opportunities for the Future. 🤩

Apprenticeships have always been one of the most effective tools we have for connecting people to good, stable careers. Our focus for this conference – expanding apprenticeships opportunities, strengthening business engagement, building high-quality talent pipelines, funding incentives for program growth, and aligning our education and workforce systems. ✨

Building a strong workforce starts with strong apprenticeships programs. Grateful to have discussed sustainable workforce models and how to connect employers directly with talent pipelines in healthcare, tech, and beyond. 👏

Proud to have Rebekah Wesney and Madeleine McElroy representing the Texas Workforce Commission’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Labor at the NASWA conference in Milwaukee! 😀

Opportunities like this allow our team to connect with workforce leaders from across the country, exchange ideas, learn what’s working in other states, and bring those conversations back home to Texas. 🌟

Thank you, Rebekah and Madeleine, for representing our office—and Texas—with professionalism and purpose. Keep up the great work! 👏🙌

Honored to host the Norwegian Parliamentary Committee at the Texas Workforce Commission to discuss the infrastructure behind the “Texas Miracle.” With Texas home to more Norwegian companies than any other state, our dialogue on workforce development and labor standards is a vital part of our shared economic success. 💥 🙌

Our discussion focused on how Texas manages rapid economic growth while ensuring stability for our workers. We had a robust exchange focusing on Workforce Growth: How states and communities can build, train, and attract the workforce that the modern economy demands through programs like Apprenticeship, AEL, and Skills Development Fund. Economic Stability: The management of Unemployment Insurance and the workforce needs during rapid growth. Civil Rights: How Texas aligns state and federal guidelines to ensure fair and safe workplaces through our Civil Rights Division. Support Systems: The critical role Child Care plays in keeping our children safe while Texans go to work. Regulatory Framework: How Texas builds a foundation for growth through both State and Federal level policy giving our state the flexibility to rapidly deploy programs, like those involving our maritime infrastructure, ports and coastline, to meet the specific needs of emerging industries all while maintaining a diverse and global workforce. 🌟

As the Commissioner Representing Labor, I am proud to highlight how Texas protects the rights of workers while building the most agile workforce in the world. Grateful to our Norwegian counterparts for this insightful exchange of ideas! 🤠

Strong international relationships and shared ideas can help us build an even stronger workforce for the future. 🌍 🤝

What a great day in South Texas!

I was proud to join Texas Southmost College in celebrating nearly 50 apprentices completing important milestones in their Early Childhood Education and Phlebotomy Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Behind every certificate is a story of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. These apprentices balanced work, training, family, and everyday responsibilities—and kept moving forward.

That’s what apprenticeship is all about: earning while you learn, building real skills, and creating a better future for yourself and your family.

South Texas has never lacked talent or work ethic. When we provide the right opportunities, our people will rise to the occasion.

Congratulations to every apprentice recognized today, and thank you to the families, instructors, employers, and Texas Southmost College for helping make their success possible.

The Valley is proud of you.

Keep learning. Keep building. And keep showing Texas what South Texas can do!

Today in Harlingen, I had the honor of joining our community to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

For me, 9/11 has always been deeply personal. Having spent much of my career in law enforcement and serving with the United States Border Patrol, I know the commitment that comes with putting on a badge and taking an oath to protect others.

On September 11th, we witnessed that commitment at its highest level. Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary Americans ran toward danger without knowing if they would ever return home. Their courage and sacrifice represent the very best of our country.

Twenty-five years later, we remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken from us. We remember the families who still carry their loss. We remember those who answered the call to serve in the years that followed. And we remember how, in one of America’s darkest moments, we came together as one nation.

I was proud to stand with the people of Harlingen today to honor them.

May we teach the next generation what happened that day, what was sacrificed, and what it means to serve something greater than ourselves.

25 years later, we remember. We honor. And we will never forget. 🇺🇸

#911

As we celebrate Labor Day, it is important to remember the history behind this occasion. Labor Day was born out of the late 19th-century labor movement, a time when the Industrial Revolution was transforming our nation. It began with the first Labor Day parade in New York City in 1882 and became a federal holiday in 1894 to honor the social and economic achievements of the American worker. This day has stood as a tribute to the men and women who fought for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity of an honest day's work. ⭐

From the early days of the labor movement to the modern-day booms in Texas industry, one thing remains the same: Workers are the backbone of our success. 🌟

Today, the Texas workforce is more diverse and dynamic than ever. Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation, our unemployment rate remains near historic lows, and our workforce is stronger and more resilient than ever. 💪

As your Commissioner Representing Labor at TWC, it’s an honor to advocate for you every day. I am committed to making sure your voice is heard. Wishing all of Texas’ workers and their families a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! 🤠

As Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission, I’m proud to announce a $489,624 Skills Development Fund grant to Lamar State College Orange, awarded in partnership with GTP, Indorama and Arlanxeo.

This grant will fund training for 241 students in high demand occupations including:

🔥 Fire Safety
☣️ Hazardous Materials Technician
🧯 Fire Rescue

TWC’s Skills Development Fund provides customized training opportunities for Texas businesses and their employees, helping raise skill levels and wages across our workforce. Lamar State College Orange will use these funds to purchase, install, and train on current, industry-based equipment. 🙌 👐

As the voice for labor, I see grants like this as a direct investment in Texas workers. These occupations are regionally recognized as in- demand for the Southeast Texas economy. Students who complete training will be in position for immediate well-paying employment in fields critical to public safety and industrial operations. 💰 🤝

Congratulations to Lamar State College Orange, and to the 241 students who will benefit from this investment in their futures. Special thanks to Dr. Ashton Knox, Dr. Wendy Elmore (President- Lamar State College Orange), Kristin Tow-Walker, as well as Jillian Bland, Bobby Wiley, William Young, and David Hulsey. 🙌 🙂