Commissioners

Our Board of Commissioners are tireless leaders working behind the scenes to develop and enforce policies that maintain the highest level of service for the community. Appointed by elected Travis County Commissioner’s Court representatives, these commissioners were selected because of their deep community roots and their understanding of local government and community safety.

Travis County ESD No. 2 Commissioners are required to complete training in accordance with Section 775.0365 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. Commissioners must complete at least six hours of continuing education related to the performance of their duties every two-years to remain in good standing. Continuing education must be certified by an institution of higher education defined by the Texas Education Code.

The Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts (SAFE-D) provides training certified by the Texas A&M University V.G. Young Institute of County Government. Three Travis County ESD No. 2 Commissioners have gone above and beyond the basic training and meet even more stringent Association requirements to earn the title of SAFE-D Certified Emergency Services Commissioner. Certified commissioners have completed over 25 hours of training and only 10% of Commissioners state-wide have earned such a distinction.

 

Rico Reyes

Board President

Rico was appointed to the Board and sworn in February 2015. He serves as Board President. Rico has a strong family foundation built on community and believes in civic involvement, community stewardship and leadership by example. He has been an advocate for children’s rights, veterans, and crime prevention.  Rico served as a Major in the Marine Corps, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in Africa and Officer-in-Charge of the Civil Law Section at Camp Lejeune before serving as Assistant District Attorney for Travis County. Rico is currently in private practice in commercial and general business litigation. Helping others achieve their dreams, Rico participates in a number of organizations in Pflugerville. He is a founding member of American Legion in Pflugerville, a member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Rotary Club. He also served on the Board for Travis County Appraisal District and the District Committee Chair for Boy Scouts of America. Rico earned his BA in Government from Harvard University, Marine Corps Command and Staff College and his MBA and Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. Rico has resided in Pflugerville for more than 10 years with his wife and daughters.  Commissioner Reyes is a SAFE-D Certified Emergency Services Commissioner.

 

April Griffin

Board Vice President

April Griffin was appointed as a Commissioner in January 2017 and currently serves as Board Vice President. April is a solo practitioner handling estate planning, probate, commercial and general business matters at The Law Office of April Griffin based in Pflugerville, Texas. Prior to hanging out her shingle, April served for over fourteen years as an attorney for several Texas state agencies. She is a proud supporter of veteran’s rights having served on active duty in the United States Air Force for over seven years. She is a board member for the Austin Black Lawyers Association Foundation and a Council Member of the State Bar of Texas Administrative and Public Law Section. She earned her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s School of Law and her BBA from St. Edward’s University. April has resided in Pflugerville with her family for over sixteen years.

 

 

Mike Howe

Board Treasurer

Mike Has served on the Board of Travis County ESD #2 for a combined period of over 25-years.  In June of 2021, he was also appointed to serve on the Board of Commissioners of the newly created Travis County ESD # 17.  Mike is the Executive Director of the 4,200 member Texas Section of the American Water Works Association. AWWA sets standards for protection of public health in drinking water systems, provides certification training, and represents utilities and suppliers to the water industry.  In 2006, he developed the TXWARN utility to utility mutual aid program in conjunction with a number of other water and wastewater associations in Texas, the TCEQ and the State Emergency Operations Center.  Mike is a former producer/director for KVUE Television. He is a nationally recognized expert and instructor in risk communication as well as a trained public policy mediator and negotiator. Mike’s accomplishments include being the Charter President of the State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts (SAFE-D) which is the only association of ESD’s in Texas and the primary source of training for Fire Commissioners.  Commissioner Howe is a SAFE-D Certified Emergency Services Commissioner. He also served six years as the President of the Wells Branch Municipal Utility District.  Mike has lived in the Austin area for over 50 years and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Communication.

 

Robert Turner

Assistant Board Treasurer

Robert Turner was appointed as a Commissioner in April 2018. He serves as Assistant Board Treasurer. A resident of Pflugerville since 1990 Mr. Turner served as a volunteer firefighter, EMT and Paramedic for the Pflugerville Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) for 15 years.  As the community growth led to increased demand and complexity of emergency services, Mr. Turner supported the transition of PVFD to a career fire department to better meet the needs of the community.   Mr. Turner has worked in government for the past 20 years leading technology projects for public safety agencies or overseeing divisions that support public safety technology systems.

 

Randall Reese

Board Secretary

Randy Reese was appointed as a Commissioner in December 2022.  He serves as Board Secretary.  Randy received this BSED and M.Ed from Texas Tech University and worked in public education for 35 years as a classroom teacher, elementary principal, director of public information, and assistant superintendent.  He and his family have been Pflugerville residents for the past 38 years.  He strongly believes in giving back to our community and has been very involved in community and civic organizations including the Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce, Sertoma Club, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Pflugerville Homeowners Board, Pflugerville Library Board, Pflugerville Education Foundation Board, Pflugerville Police Department Citizens on Patrol, and Pflugerville Methodist Church.  He has been honored as Principal of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Community Icon, and Pflugerville Citizen of the Year.

 

 

 

Michael R. Bessner

Board President from 2015 to 2022

 

 

 

Pflugerville Fire Board of Commissioners President Terry StrubleTerry Struble

Board President from 1991 to December 23, 2015

His dedication and service to the District and to the community is an inspiration to all of us.

 

 

 

Commissioners can be contacted at their email address below.

Rico Reyes  Board President   [email protected]

April Griffin  Board Vice President  [email protected]

Mike Howe  Board Treasurer  [email protected]

Robert Turner  Assistant Board Treasurer  [email protected]

Randall Reese  Board Secretary  [email protected]