Deputy Commissioner

Kirk Cole

Kirk has been named the new Deputy Commissioner for DSHS beginning July 5, 2021. Prior to his new appointment Kirk served as Senior Advisor to the Commissioner beginning in January 2016. He has also served as the Associate Commissioner and Interim Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Kirk has been with DSHS since 2004 in various leadership roles, primarily focused on consumer and governmental relations and public health policy.

Before coming to DSHS, he worked for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in communications and government relations. Kirk received a Bachelor's degree in health and a Master's degree in urban planning from Texas A&M University.