DPS Director Steven C. McCraw named Luis Gonzalez the new Assistant Director/Chief of the Texas Highway Patrol (THP) effective September 1, 2011.  Gonzalez is the first Hispanic to lead THP.  A native of Laredo, he served as Regional Commander of DPS Region 6, which includes the San Antonio, Austin, and Waco areas, where he was responsible for the coordination of all DPS field operations within the Region. 

“I look forward to returning to Austin to lead the Texas Highway Patrol.  It is an honor to have been selected,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree.  He joined DPS in 1987 and served as a Trooper in San Antonio, Floresville, and Marble Falls; Sergeant in 1992 in Weslaco and Uvalde; Lieutenant in San Antonio in 1995; Captain in the Administrative Division in 2000; Assistant Commander of Human Resources in 2003; THP Major in Austin in 2003 and THP Assistant Chief in 2008. 

Gonzalez has also participated in and completed the FBI National Academy and the Governor’s Executive Development Program.  He holds a Master Peace Officer certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education.