This week’s profile is Thomas Graham, executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
My career highlights and education: I actually began my career in state government here at TABC in 2005. Starting as an auditor at TABC’s Waco office, I continued to work at offices in Bryan, San Marcos and finally Austin. I am grateful for my time as an auditor, as it allowed me to travel the state and see the alcohol business up close. I was promoted to oversee our Marketing Practices division in 2008, and served in that role until 2013, when I was appointed to oversee excise tax and marketing practices. The Commission named me executive director in July of 2022, and I’m proud and grateful for the opportunity to lead the men and women of this incredible agency.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in government from The University of Texas at Austin, and I graduated from the Governor’s Executive Development Program at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
What I like best about public service is: I find it a true pleasure to work with so many great businesses and state leaders. Both groups bring so much to the citizens of Texas, including ideas, stability, growth, innovation and direction. Texas is truly a place where good work pays off. As a multigenerational Texan and state employee, I know the value that public service can bring to our citizens.
In my current role as TABC executive director and in my former roles here at the agency, I have always strived to make this agency what our citizens expect us to be—an agency that supports businesses through common sense regulation and education, driven by the laws passed by our elected officials. In addition to supporting the businesses that contribute to our economy, I take true joy in contributing to the safety of Texans. Communities look to TABC and many other great state agencies to provide safety for their families. Our law enforcement and civilian counterparts work hard to identify and hold accountable businesses that facilitate activities that endanger the communities in which they operate.
My goal each and every day is to support the businesses that want to do the right thing, while helping to stop the small number who act in bad faith and violate state law.
The best advice I’ve received is: Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have been mentored by some talented folks who have provided incredible advice. One of the most valuable was a quote from former president Teddy Roosevelt: “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
In our line of work, collaboration and relationships are the cornerstones of success, and this advice has been a guiding principle throughout my career, reminding me of the importance of empathy, respect and understanding in all interactions. By prioritizing relationships and valuing the perspectives of others, we create an environment where everyone feels heard, valued and empowered to contribute their best. Whether it’s building partnerships with other agencies, engaging with stakeholders or leading our team, fostering strong relationships is essential to accomplishing our mission of serving the people of Texas.
People might be surprised to know that: In addition to state service, back as far back as I can remember, I spent a lot of time assisting my father with his full-time hobby of building houses. Although my father was not in construction as a profession, he did most of the construction himself. I learned a lot more than I ever wanted to know about construction, but what I really learned was the value of hard work. I can’t wait to instill the same in my two boys. Thank you, Dad.
One thing I wish more people knew about the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission: Many people hear about TABC and assume our primary role involves arresting teenagers in possession of alcohol, which isn’t the case. Today, TABC plays multiple important roles to regulate a competitive and safe alcoholic beverage industry. This includes issuing the licenses and permits needed to go into business, collecting taxes from alcohol wholesalers and ensuring no unsafe or illegal products make it into Texas retail establishments. At the same time, our enforcement agents work around the clock to empower businesses to safely operate while holding an increasingly small number of bad actors accountable.
To accomplish this, we work very closely with the industry we serve. As executive director, I’m in constant communication with industry representatives from across Texas and the U.S., working with them to answer questions and provide guidance on how best to ensure they’re complying with the laws put in place by the people of Texas.
In addition, our board—five members appointed by the Governor of Texas—play a critical role in charting our overall course. Each of them is an incredible advocate for the men and women of TABC, and their leadership is vital in terms of ensuring our agency has the resources we need to fulfill our statutory mission. This includes the ongoing fight against human trafficking. Any time we have a request from a legislator to meet or testify on behalf of the agency, I know I can count on our commissioners to come through. I’m honored to work on their behalf.
