Norman Garza, Jr. joined Texas Space Commission as the inaugural executive director on 01JUL 2024. The agency was established in 2023 upon enactment of House Bill 3447 authored by State Representative Greg Bonnen, M.D. during the 88th Regular Session, Texas Legislature. Born in Harlingen, he is a native Texan with roots across the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. Previously, he served as Vice President of Government Relations at Texas A&M University as well as Associate Director of Legislative Affairs for Texas Farm Bureau. Garza is a graduate of Pleasanton High School (Texas), as well as St. Edward's University (Austin). Additionally, he studied at the Universidad de Belgrano (Buenos Aires) and earned a professional certificate through the Governor's Executive Development Program from The University of Texas at Austin.