TxDMV Executive Team

Executive Director

Daniel Avitia serves as executive director for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2022. Avitia previously served as one of the department's Deputy Executive Directors and oversaw the day-to-day operations for the department’s administrative divisions, including Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, the Motor Vehicle Division, and the Office of Administrative Hearings.

A lifelong Texan, Daniel Avitia began his commitment to Texas state government over 25 years ago. Avitia has held various director and administrator positions in state government agencies which include the University of Texas at El Paso, the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, the Texas Health & Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Avitia has focused his professional efforts on strengthening and streamlining operations, building and administering successful teams and continuously improving processes that better support department and customer needs.

Avitia is a graduate of The University of Texas at El Paso and possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Legal Reasoning, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Avitia is also a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program and the Texas Health & Human Services Executive Leadership Program.

Deputy Executive Director

Shelly Mellott serves as a deputy executive director for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). She oversees the day-to-day operations of multiple department divisions to ensure they are constantly improving and identifying opportunities to become more efficient and effective in serving TxDMV customers. Operations reporting to her include the Consumer Relations Division, Motor Carrier Division, Enforcement Division, Office of Administrative Hearings, and Human Resources Division.

Mellott came to the TxDMV in 2013 from the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles where she held many roles including deputy executive director and acting executive director during her 11 years of service.

Mellott has focused her professional efforts on building strong successful teams, providing excellent customer service and looking for new and innovative ways to serve the citizens of the state. She has served on multiple working groups and committees charged with developing best practices for state DMVs to follow on many different national issues.

She grew up in a family that operated a trucking company and spent several years in the motor carrier business giving her first-hand experience of the importance and challenges of the motor carrier industry.

Deputy Executive Director

Roland D. Luna, Sr. serves as a deputy executive director for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). In this role he provides direction to the Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Motor Vehicle Division, Financial and Administrative Services, Information Technology Services Division, and the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority.

Prior to his current role, Roland served as the Director of the Vehicle Titles & Registration Division, responsible for administering policies and procedures related to the titling and registration of motor vehicles for the State of Texas. Roland came to TxDMV in August 2020 as Director of the Motor Vehicle Division. Prior to joining TxDMV he served as a State Trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety and ascended into various commissioned positions, including service as an Agent on the Protective Detail for Governor Greg Abbott (then Attorney General).

Roland also served in various directorships as an Division Chief with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Deputy Inspector General and Chief of Investigations for the Health and Human Services Commission Office of the Inspector General, and Chief Inspector General for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Office of the Inspector General where he reported to the TJJD Board. His resume includes experience at the local government level, where he served as the Director of Administration for the Williamson County Judiciary.

Roland earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Arts in Legal Studies from Texas State University. He is certified in mediation and legal research, holds a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Master Peace Officer License, and is a certified Inspector General. Roland is also a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program Class XXXIX.

Board Liaison

Carrie Fortner serves as a board liaison for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. In this role she works with the Board Chair, Board members, Executive Director and staff to implement board policies and initiatives. And, assists the board with daily administrative support, research and communications.

She has more than 15 years’ experience providing state board and executive support to Texas state leadership prior to joining TxDMV. She most recently served with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) providing communications, training and legislative support for controlled substances, handgun licensing, metals recycling and vehicle inspection. Other state agency experience includes working with three state boards focused on criminal justice policy, criminal street gang identification and the private security industry.

Before her state service, Carrie worked in media and advertising. She is a seventh generation Texan, has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas, and completed the Governor’s Senior Management Development Course.

Director, Consumer Relations Division

Amanda Collins serves as the Director of Consumer Relations Division for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). She is responsible for the operations of the agency’s customer contact center.

Before joining TxDMV, Amanda served as the Associate Director of Strategic Initiative and Performance Improvement with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). In this role, she oversaw agency initiatives that involved sunset and legislative implementation. She also served as a member of the Marketing Practices Advisory and the TABC Rules and Policy Committees where she helped facilitate stakeholder meetings, the development of agency rulemaking, and established a formal process for marketing practices advisories. Amanda began her state service in November 2009, as a TABC auditor stationed at the Houston Regional Office with the Compliance Division. She was promoted to District and Regional Audit Supervisor in 2014 where she served Texans across the state from North, West, and Southeast Texas by providing regulatory knowledge and exceptional customer service.

Amanda attended Prairie View A&M University where she played Division I soccer and received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She served on the board of directors for Toast for Charity a nonprofit organization that focused on higher education for underrepresented communities in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Amanda is a Certified Fraud Examiner and is also a graduate of the Governor's Executive Development Course.

Employee Ombudsman, Civil Rights and Ethics Officer

Leah Leone serves as the internal Employee Ombudsman, Civil Rights and Ethics Officer for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Leah’s primary role is to build a strong ethical and culturally competent agency, to empower leadership and employees on becoming better problem solvers, and communicators, and to assist with achieving positive outcomes in workplace.

Leah earned her Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Dispute Resolution, and has worked for the University of North Carolina Central School of Law in the Alternative Dispute Resolution & Mediation Clinic where she taught law students and lawyers how to skillfully mediate conflicts, and has facilitated civil, criminal, divorce, and custody matters in Texas and North Carolina courts. Leah has mediated over several hundred disputes for organizations, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of the Attorney General, (OAG) Texas, communities, private citizens, and families. As a professional executive coach, Leah has conducted trainings, courses, and presentations on conflict coaching and conflict resolution.

Director, Enforcement Division

Corrie Thompson serves as the Director of the Enforcement Division for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). She oversees the enforcement of the statutes and administrative rules affecting the motor vehicle distribution, salvage, and motor carrier industries as well as the administration of the state’s Lemon Law and warranty performance programs. Her division also works to actively identify and recommend best practices to assist tax assessor-collector offices and TxDMV Regional Service Centers.

Thompson previously served as the Managing Attorney for the Enforcement Division. Her role included providing counsel and supervision to attorneys who handle administrative prosecution of motor vehicle, motor carrier, oversize / overweight, and salvage vehicle dealer cases. She also presented at monthly Dealer Training Seminars across the state. Thompson worked as a Staff Attorney for the Enforcement Division handling motor vehicle dealer compliance cases before being promoted to Managing Attorney.

Prior to joining the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in 2013, Thompson prosecuted cases involving Medicaid provider fraud, waste, and abuse for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Office of Inspector General.

Thompson has a bachelor’s degree from St. Edward’s University, a law degree from the University of Houston, and is licensed by the State Bar of Texas.

Chief Financial Officer, Finance and Administrative Services Division

Glenna Bowman, CPA, serves as a chief financial officer (CFO) of the Finance and Administrative Services for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). In this role, she oversees all activities of the department’s financial and administrative support services, including accounting, procurement, budget, revenue and forecasting, inventory, mail services, fleet and facilities.

Her experience includes key roles in developing Texas' first GAAP-based, statewide financial statements, implementing the Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS), and developing the current Similar Funding for Same-Sized Courts funding model for the state’s fourteen intermediate appellate courts.

Previously, Bowman served as chief financial officer for the Texas Office of Court Administration, State Board of Public Accountancy, Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Department of Agriculture, and deputy CFO for the Texas Water Development Board. Served on the curriculum committee for the Texas Fiscal Officers Association from its inception in 2002 until 2015.

In 2014, Bowman was named Administrator of the Year by the Texas State Agency Business Administrator's Association. She holds a Master of Accountancy degree from Texas State University and a BBA in Accounting from West Texas State University, and is a graduate of the Governor's Executive Development Course.

Director, Government & Strategic Communications Division

Keith Yawn serves as director of the Government and Strategic Communications Division. He oversees all external communications for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Keith joined TxDMV from the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS), where he served as Director of Strategic Initiatives, leading enterprise projects and advising agency leadership on financial, operational and organizational strategy. Prior to joining ERS, Keith served as the Director of the Committee on Appropriations for the Texas House of Representatives. Keith has also held senior and executive level positions with the Texas Legislative Budget Board, Texas Facilities Commission, and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Keith holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Baylor University, as well as a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

Director, Human Resources Division

Cynthia Mendoza serves as director of the Human Resources Division for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). In this role, she provides direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for the Human Resources Division.

Cynthia joined TxDMV from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), where she served as director of Human Resources. During her 23 years with TDA, she focused on streamlining and audit-proofing applicant services processes, ensuring classification and competitive compensation, and adhering to human resources laws and regulations.

Prior to her state service, Cynthia worked at her family’s locally owned restaurant chain where she created the Human Resources Department from the ground up to include policy and procedures manuals, compensation equity, and training.

Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services Division

Wendy Barron serves as the Chief Information Officer for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). In this role, she oversees the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) consisting of more than 90 employees and additional contract staff. ITSD provides information technology services and support for all agency staff, as well as maintenance and support of the TxDMV’s major systems and technologies. This is a key position within TxDMV as the department continues to enhance technology infrastructure and transform business to better serve Texans.

Wendy is a knowledgeable information technology leader with over 20 years of experience managing information technology projects and operations at Texas government organizations. Prior to joining the department, she led the Information Technology Divisions of the State Office of Administrative Hearings and the Texas Water Development Board. Wendy has worked in various technology roles, including as a data analyst, systems analyst, and project manager.

Wendy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Public Administration, both from Texas State University.

Director, Internal Audit Division

Salem Chuah serves as the Internal Audit Director for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). He is responsible for leading the division that provides the TxDMV Board and Department management with assurance and advisory services to reduce exposure to risks associated with the operations of the Department.

Previously, Salem served as Acting Risk Manager for the San Francisco International Airport, an enterprise department of the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) where he oversaw SFO’s risk management program. Prior to SFO, Salem held positions with the Audits Division at CCSF’s Office of the Controller, the Texas State Auditor’s Office, and Ernst & Young.

Salem holds a Bachelor in Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from The University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor, and a Certified Fraud Examiner. He also holds an Associate in Risk Management designation.

Director, Motor Carrier Division

Jimmy Archer serves as the Motor Carrier Division director.

Archer is a seasoned veteran of state service, with 26 years at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, retiring at that agency as chief of the Criminal Investigations Division.

In addition to leading a division focused on state tax law, he also worked extensively with federal, state and local regulatory agencies, and assisted in the development of the agency’s strategic plan.

Archer earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law from the University of St. Thomas, and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

Director, Motor Vehicle Division

Monique Johnston serves as a director of the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Monique has been with the Department since January of 2020 when she was hired as the manager of the Licensing Section of MVD.

She is a native Texan, originally from Lake Jackson. Monique is a graduate of Texas State University with a degree in Geographic Information Systems. Immediately after graduating from college, she began her employment in state government with the Texas Medical Board (TMB), which serves as the regulatory agency for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Acupuncturists, Medical Radiologic Technicians, Respiratory Care Practitioners and several other healthcare related professionals and entities. She was with the TMB's Licensure Department for over 21 years, starting as a Licensing Analyst. She served as TMB's Licensure Manager for four years, overseeing the agency’s largest division. During her tenure, Monique worked closely with TMB’s executive team, serving as a resource witness during the agency’s Sunset process and during the legislative session. She also oversaw the transfer of four new license types to the TMB and issuance of over 14,000 new licenses/certificates/permits each fiscal year.

As the Licensing Manager for TxDMV, Monique orchestrated the adjustment to teleworking and has led an extremely successful adaptation to keep customer service, application processing and team spirit at a level that was truly seamless.

Director, Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority

Joe Canady serves as a director of the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). He oversees the grant program administratively supported by the department to provide resources, assistance and training regarding automobile crime to local law enforcement.

Joe has extensive background in public service with more than three decades of law enforcement experience. His work as an investigator and commander of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Taskforce created his passion for motor vehicle theft investigations. Prior to his appointment as Director, Joe served as the MVCPA Law Enforcement Coordinator responsible for managing law enforcement grants, developing training materials for taskforce investigators, coordinating training for law enforcement, and managing a Virtual Command Center that offers a secure platform for the sharing of intelligence and critical information for officers to combat vehicle-related crimes and improve officer safety.

Joe’s commitment to vehicle theft investigations and crime reduction led to service as President of the Texas Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators and Vice President of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. Joe is a certified Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Instructor, holds a TCOLE Master Jailer Certification, is a TCOLE Master Peace Officer, and has provided training to countless law enforcement professionals.

Chief Hearings Officer, Office of Administrative Hearings

Bennie Brown serves as the Chief Hearings Officer, Office of Administrative Hearings for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Bennie is a licensed attorney and certified mediator with extensive experience in administrative law. She is a native Texan and has served the people and the State of Texas for more than two decades.

Prior to joining the TxDMV, Bennie served as an Administrative Law Judge with the State Office of Administrative Hearings for 12 years, where she presided over thousands of contested hearings involving the suspension and revocation of state licenses as well as cases involving civil penalties and monetary sanctions. Prior to her service as Administrative Law Judge, she was a prosecutor for the Texas Department of Public Safety, a role in which she represented the agency, managed appeals, and created training materials.

Bennie is a graduate of the University of Houston and received her juris doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law.

General Counsel, Office of General Counsel

Laura Moriaty serves as the General Counsel for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). In this role, Laura advises the department’s executive team, board on a range of legal matters and manages the work of the Office of General Counsel.

Laura Moriaty has spent the last 12 years of her career specialized in Texas administrative law, representing Texas state agencies. She has served in a General Counsel role for the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the State Board for Educator Certification, and as an Administrative Law Judge for the Texas Education Agency. Prior to entering state service, Laura was a securities litigator for national law firms Akin Gump and Greenberg Traurig.

Laura was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She attended college at Yale University and law school at the University of Virginia.

Director, Vehicle Titles & Registration Division

Annette Quintero serves as a director of the Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Director for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). She is responsible for administering policies and procedures related to the titling and registration of more than 25 million motor vehicles in the state of Texas.

Annette has served in public service for more than 19 years and has served in various leadership positions with increasing responsibility for 15 years, which includes serving on the executive management team. Her management experience includes service as a Field Services Manager, Director of Communications, and Deputy Director of Program Innovation and Communications. Annette’s experience also includes leading the creation and implementation of statewide initiatives, projects, operational improvements, strategy development, and outcomes.

Annette has worked very closely with many stakeholders at the state and national level and served on various national workgroups and presented training modules and best practices at state and national conferences. Annette’s commitment to transformation strategy, innovation, and system modernization for her program areas of responsibility have led to operational efficiencies, improved outcomes, stronger stakeholder relationships, and better communication. Annette earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration and Management from Texas State University.