Texas Health and Human Services
Executive Commissioner Thomas Suehs

Thomas Suehs was appointed Texas health and human services executive commissioner on Sept. 1, 2009, by Gov. Rick Perry. As head of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Suehs provides leadership and strategic direction to the health and human services system in Texas. The executive commissioner oversees the operations of the five health and human services agencies, including more than 50,000 employees and combined annual budgets of $30 billion.

Suehs served as deputy executive commissioner for financial services at HHSC from 2003 until his appointment as executive commissioner. His responsibilities included providing administrative leadership, oversight and direction for the financial management of the state’s five health and human services agencies. He also served as the deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and associate commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services. He is a former executive director of the Texas Health Care Association and past president of the American Society of State Health Care Executives.

Suehs has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University.