In late December, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) appointed Will McKerall as interim executive director, filling the role of former executive director Mike Novak. McKerall officially assumed his responsibilities on Jan. 2, 2026.
McKerall has been with the TFC since October 2023, bringing 45 years of engineering, construction and infrastructure management with him. He most recently left a private sector role with an engineering technology firm he founded to accept the new position.
Prior to establishing his firm, McKerall served in the U.S. Navy and Corps of Engineers in various engineering and chief executive positions for 32 years. His most prestigious role during that period was as the Department of Defense director of infrastructure and environment for Europe and Africa. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in science in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.
McKerall will succeed Novak as interim executive director until a permanent replacement is found. Novak spent a total of 14 years with the TFC, evenly split between serving as executive director and as a commissioner.
Working with the TFC is not the first time Novak has served on a public board. His career features additional public service, including holding positions as presiding tri-chair for the San Antonio Military Task Force, chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and commissioner on the Bexar County Commissioners Court. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University.
The TFC oversees expansion and development efforts for state government buildings and facilities. Their key responsibilities include strategic facilities planning, asset management, design, construction, operation, maintenance, leasing of state facilities and the sale, reallocation or disposal of state and federal surplus property. The commission’s efforts ensure that state employees have access to comfortable, high-quality work environments, office space and efficiently managed facilities.
Since its founding more than a century ago, the commission has been the spearhead for countless ambitious, impactful projects. Most recently, the TFC has coordinated efforts on numerous high-profile initiatives, including construction for the Texas Border Wall, the North Austin Complex serving as the headquarters for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the first and second phases of the Capitol Complex project.
Photo courtesy of the Texas Facilities Commission
This story is a part of the weekly Texas Government Insider digital news publication. See more of the latest Texas government news here. For more national government news, check Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals.