Texas Board of Nursing raises executive director’s salary, grants 10 days administrative leave

The Texas Board of Nursing voted unanimously July 18 to increase Executive Director Kristen K. Benton’s annual base salary from $171,547 to $203,337, effective Sept. 1, 2025, and to award Benton 80 hours (10 days) of administrative leave for “exceptional work.”

Board member Drew Riddle moved the salary increase and leave award. The motion was seconded by Maisie Jamieson and carried without opposition after brief remarks praising Benton’s leadership.

Board members described Benton as a “state and national leader” who has provided clear agency direction, kept members informed, and led the agency’s Operation Nightingale initiative. In explaining the pay decision, a board member said the board elected to place Benton at the top of the pay range for the level approved in the legislative session “to bring her up more equal to, or close to, many chief nursing officers of large organizations.”

The salary decision followed an executive session pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act. The motion, second, and final approval were recorded in open session after the board returned from that executive session.

No additional implementation details—such as changes to Benton’s contract beyond the effective date, or whether the administrative leave must be used by a specific date—were specified in the board’s motion or the discussion recorded in the transcript.

The board did not record a roll-call vote tally in the public transcript; the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.