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Arismendez
Mike Arismendez, a current deputy executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), has been named ex ecutive director effective Feb. 1, 2022. He replaces TDLR Executive Director Brian E. Francis, whose retirement becomes effective Jan. 31, 2022.
Arismendez was appointed executive director by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation by a unanimous vote during a meeting on Dec. 27, 2021. Commissioners thanked Francis for his leadership of the agency and welcomed Arismendez to the helm of the agency.
“Although no one can replace Brian Francis, the Commission is excited to see where Mike Arismendez will take TDLR in the future by building on the legacies of former director Bill Kuntz and Brian. The agency will benefit from Mike’s experience as a member and chair of the Commission of Licensing and Regulation and as a deputy executive director. He is well-prepared to lead TDLR to the next iteration of excellence in its ser vice to the people of Texas,” said Rick Figueroa, chair of the Commission.
Arismendez was hired as TDLR’s Deputy Executive Director in March 2019. He pre viously served as City Manager for the City of Littlefield, Assistant to the City Council for the City of Lubbock, Mayor of the City of Shallowater, and legislative director for State Representative Carl H. Isett. Arismendez was appointed to the TDLR Commission in 2005 by Governor Rick Perry and was then appointed Chairman in 2014 by Governor Greg Abbott.
“I am humbled to be appointed as Executive Director at such a prestigious and visionary state agency. Through all my years of involvement with TDLR, I have come to know that TDLR seeks to provide the best customer service to the business community in Texas while protecting the people of Texas. I look forward to maintaining the integrity and success of this agency in my new role,” Arismendez said.
Arismendez currently serves as the Chairman for the Hutto Economic Devel opment Corporation, as well as Secretary/Treasurer for both the River Creek Development Corporation and Cottonwood Development Corporation for the City of Hutto. Arismendez was previously appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Texas Motor Vehicle Board. He previously served on the Texas Tech Chancellor’s Hispanic Enrollment Task Force by Chancellor Kent Hance. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and attended St. Edward’s University in Austin in the Master’s Program for Business Management.
About TDLR
TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. Currently, the agency regulates 40 business and occupational licensing programs with more than 1,000,000 licensees across the state.
