Randy Rivera
Administrator for Agriculture Protection and Certification
Agriculture and Consumer Protection 

Randy was raised in Brownfield Texas and spent part of his young life on his grandparent’s cotton farm in Terry County and from this experience he has always desired to be somehow involved agriculture. Randy raised and showed hogs in FFA in high school. He attended Texas Tech University as an Agricultural Sciences major.  

Randy’s career with TDA spans 24 years beginning in Lubbock in the seed lab and later working as a pesticide inspector. In 1995 he accepted a position in Austin in the TDA headquarters, where he has worked in various positions of leadership before being promoted to his current position.  

While at TDA, Randy has served on various boards and associations, including the Texas Certified Crop Advisors Board, Texas Structural Pest Control Board, Texas Plant Protection Association, American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators and the Williamson County Extension Long-range Planning Committee. Randy has also represented TDA and Texas Agriculture on various national committees on federal pesticide rules issues. 

Randy participated in the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, (TALL V). Randy is extremely proud to have been a participant of TALL and considers himself both humbled and honored, to have been selected to such a prestigious group of agricultural leaders and professionals.  

Randy is married to the former Theresa Renteria, of Amarillo. Randy and Theresa will celebrate their 25^th anniversary this summer and have been blessed with 4 children; 3 daughters and a son. They currently reside in Round Rock, where they are active members of their church and community.