The Public Safety Commission on Tuesday approved two senior appointments at the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Vanessa Mayo was appointed chief of the finance division to replace Susie Whittington. Colonel Martin said Mayo began her career at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, served as TABC chief financial officer in 2015, joined DPS in 2022 as assistant chief of finance and most recently served as assistant chief in Regulatory Services. The commission approved her appointment by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Blair and a second from Commissioner Long.

The commission also confirmed John Kelly as assistant chief of the information technology division. Colonel Martin said Kelly has more than 20 years of IT leadership experience in manufacturing, oil and gas, health care and government; his most recent role was director of IT infrastructure at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Commissioners approved Kelly’s appointment by voice vote.

Why it matters: both appointments fill senior management roles responsible for finance and enterprise IT operations at DPS and were presented as the result of internal and external selection processes.

Both appointees will assume duties as described by the department; the commission recorded the approvals during the meeting.