I am very excited to share with y’all that, a little over a couple of months ago, I joined the amazing External Affairs team at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).
My time at the Texas House allowed me to meet, learn about, and interact with many passionate and dedicated state agency GR folks. So, joining their ranks, especially as a humble servant at a first-class organization like TDEM, is a genuine privilege.
Coming into the job in the middle of the response to the July floods, and just ahead of the start of the special sessions, definitely equated to, once again, learning from a fire hose, but also further solidified my sincere respect for the men & women serving their fellow Texans with a TDEM badge on their left chest, 24/7/365, rain, shine, hail, or high water. Their dedication, professionalism, and selfless service make it a true privilege to be part of the TDEM family.
I’m also very excited to take this step forward in my professional journey! I relish the opportunity to not only see the legislative process from another perspective, but also to take part in the implementation of various bills which made it across the finish line in the 89th Texas Legislature.
Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoy the growth associated with acquiring new skills related to emergency management, especially as life has a funny way of playing out: Now, random personal and professional interests, be it my childhood curiosity of emergency vehicles, my teenage years’ interest in the German emergency response service THW (imagine a cross between TDEM and the Army Corps of Engineers, but in dark blue vehicles), my assistance of business emergency preparedness and recovery planning efforts during my chamber of commerce days, and my support of the Texas House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee in the 88th, they all appear to be perfectly logical milestones along the path that led me to where I stand today, typing this post.
I couldn’t be more humbled, honored, and excited to take the next steps on this journey, serving the fine people of the State of Texas at TDEM.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was penned by Matt Z. Ruszczak, external affairs manager at the Texas Division of Emergency Management. It first appeared on his social media pages. Ruszczak previously worked for state Rep. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City in Austin. He has also served as executive director of the Rio South Texas Economic Council and its successor, the Council for South Texas Economic Progress. Before that he served as city manager of Rio Grande City. He pronounces his name MAT ROOSH-chuk.
