Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Executive Director

Bobby Lumpkin is a 35-year veteran of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) who began his career in 1990 as a correctional officer at the Diagnostic Unit. He rose through the security ranks to assistant warden and in 2003, he became the American Correctional Association (ACA) Manager for the TDCJ’s Administrative Review and Risk Management Division. He then led the Review and Standards Department and eventually oversaw contracts for privately operated secure facilities and community-based facilities, including substance abuse treatment services. In September 2013, Mr. Lumpkin was assigned as Director of the agency’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Logistics Division. He was promoted in August 2020 to the Correctional Institutions Division (CID) as Division Director. In November 2024, Mr. Lumpkin was promoted to Chief Operations Officer for the TDCJ, with oversight of nine divisions and departments. His vast correctional knowledge and diverse career experience led to his most recent appointment as Executive Director of the TDCJ in September 2025.

Mr. Lumpkin recently completed his term as President of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA) and now serves as the Chairman of the NCIA Board of Governors. He previously served as a Commissioner on the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. Currently, he serves on the American Correctional Association Board of Governors for Correctional Administration. Mr. Lumpkin is also a member of the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents, Past President of the Texas Corrections Association, and he supports the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation.

Mr. Lumpkin received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Corrections and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University.