TDCJ News

New Executive Director Selected for Texas Department of Criminal Justice

August 19, 2025

(AUSTIN) - The Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) appointed Bobby Lumpkin as the new Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) at the scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, August 19. Lumpkin will assume the role effective September 1, 2025.

This selection follows a comprehensive nationwide search to identify a leader capable of advancing the TDCJ’s mission to enhance public safety and transform the lives of those under its supervision.

Lumpkin brings nearly 35 years of criminal justice experience, most recently, he held the role of Chief of Operations. He began 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, a Deputy Director in the Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division (PFCMOD), Director of the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Logistics Division, and Director of the Correctional Institutions Division, where he was responsible for overseeing operations at over 100 facilities.

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.

“It is a sacred privilege to work alongside 32,000 dedicated men and women, to serve those incarcerated and under supervision, to support victims of crime, and to safeguard the people of Texas,” Lumpkin said. “Much has been accomplished, yet much remains before us. With deep humility and steadfast faith, I pledge to lead with integrity, to honor the values of this agency, and to ensure we continue moving forward—strengthening public safety, expanding rehabilitation and reentry, and positioning TDCJ as a national model of criminal justice excellence.”

“I believe we are each called to this work for a greater purpose—to serve with compassion, to ensure fairness, and to extend hope where others may see only despair. Guided by that calling, I will give my very best to this mission,” he added.

“The Texas Board of Criminal Justice has the highest level of appreciation and respect for everything that Mr. Lumpkin has already accomplished during his service to the State of Texas with TDCJ, and looks forward to the continuous improvement of agency operations under his leadership as Executive Director,” TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols said.

As Executive Director of TDCJ, 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 of 2016.

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