David Coatney Named Director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
“The work of Texas A&M Extension Service, which oversees Texas Task Force 1, is the best kept secret of The Texas A&M University System, from workforce training to rescuing thousands from disasters and teaching the rest of the nation how to rescue people,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “I am confident David Coatney will continue to improve upon the agency’s great tradition of public service.”
“I’m excited about working with this great leadership team and employees, and the opportunity to work with an agency like TEEX in making a difference across the state, the nation and the world,” Coatney said.
Most recently, Coatney served as Fire Chief for the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department. Prior to that, he was Fire Chief of the Round Rock Fire Department for five years. He held several positions of progressive leadership over 25 years working for the San Antonio Fire Department, including Chief of Fire Operations, Emergency Management Coordinator, Homeland Security Director and Chief of Training. He currently serves as chair of the State of Texas Governor’s First Responder Council and serves on the FEMA Region 6 Advisory Council and the Texas Division of Emergency Management Executive Advisory Committee.
Coatney earned a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Education with a major in fire science and a master’s degree in Organizational Management from Wayland Baptist University, and he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program of the National Fire Academy and the Executive Leaders Program in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School, and holds numerous professional certifications. In 2017, he received the Leadership Award from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
About The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is a state agency that is a member of The Texas A&M University System. It is an internationally recognized leader in the delivery of emergency response, homeland security and workforce training, exercises, technical assistance, and economic development. In 2018, TEEX served nearly 195,000 people from across the United States and 81 countries through hands-on training and technical services.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.7 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 152,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $972 million in FY 2016 and helped drive the state’s economy.