Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Timothy James “TJ” White, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral and former head of the US National Cyber Mission Force, will lead the new Texas Cyber Command. The agency aims to protect Texans from growing cyber threats, particularly from hostile foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran.
Texas ranks among the nation’s top targets for cyberattacks, with billions of dollars in cybersecurity requests submitted by state agencies. White’s expertise in military cybersecurity and homeland security will be crucial in fighting these attacks. As commander of the US Navy Space Command, U.S. 10th Fleet, and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, White has extensive experience in leading cybersecurity efforts.
White is founder of OneNetworkConnection, LLC, and served in the Navy from 1983 to 2020. He will oversee the Texas Cyber Command’s primary duties, including cybersecurity threat response, management, forensics, and training. The command is administered through the University of Texas System and based at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Source: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/09/16/abbott-names-former-chief-of-federal-cyber-command-a-texan-to-run-new-unit-at-home