Texas names new state veterinarian

Austin, Texas

-- Dee Ellis, DVM, has been named the new Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) director and Texas state veterinarian.

On Dec. 31, Ellis will replace Bob Hillman, DVM, who is retiring after seven years in the position.

Ellis has served since 2004 as Texas' assistant state veterinarian, but has held various TAHC jobs throughout his career. While completing an animal science degree at Southwest Texas State University, he worked as an animal health inspector. After a stint in private practice, he worked as a TAHC field veterinarian. In 1986, he was promoted to area director for central Texas, a position he held for 18 years, and in 2003, he transferred to the TAHC's Austin headquarters as the staff veterinarian. He was named assistant staff veterinarian a year later.

TAHC chair Ernie Morales says Ellis' experience fighting natural disasters and foreign and domestic cattle diseases, working with Mexican animal health officials, and serving as a speaker at livestock industry meetings make him a great fit for the job.