Staples, Todd D.

Head shot of suited businessman (Todd Staples) smiling against grey backdrop
Name: 
Staples, Todd D.
Title: 
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Texas A&M Class: 
1984
Inducted: 
2004

Biography:

D. Todd Staples is recognized as an accomplished public servant and enthusiastic champion for rural Texas.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M in 1984.

After graduation, Mr. Staples became a businessman that was involved in everything from real estate to a plant nursery owned by his family.  His real estate ventures started when he opened his own company, Pioneer Properties.  He was very active in the Texas Association of Realtors serving as the Region 5 Vice-President, Public Relations Committee Chair, State Director, and Executive Board Member.  Mr. Staples was also a part-time instructor at Trinity Valley Community College teaching Real Estate Law and Real Estate Appraisal Principles.  As part owner of the family owned and operated plant nursery and landscaping business, Mr. Staples is also a rancher that runs his own cow –calf operation. 

Todd Staples started in politics in 1989 when he served on the Palestine City Council.  He served on the City Council from 1989-91 and then served as Palestine Mayor Pro Tempore from 1990-91.  In 1995, he was elected a state representative.  While in the House of Representatives, he served on the Corrections Committee as vice-chair and on the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee also as vice-chair.  He served in the House until 2001 and then was elected a State Senator.  While in the Senate from 2001-07, Mr. Staples served as chair on the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, Workers Compensation Select Interim Committee, and Texas Republican Caucus.  He also served as vice-chair on the State Affairs Committee and Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee. 

Mr. Staples was elected Texas Commissioner of Agriculture in 2006.  His goals have been to bring jobs to rural Texas, promote Texas products around the world, increase profit margins for ranchers and farmers through value-added processing, and to learn and use new technologies.  He continues to pursue policies that enable economic strength, youth development, healthy lifestyles and consumer protection.

In addition to his notable career as a businessman and politician, Todd Staples has also dedicated much of his time to serving his community.  He is a member of the Texas Farm Bureau and the National FFA Organization.  He was also on the Chamber of Commerce, the East Texas Council of Governments, and in the Texas National Guard as a Citizen Representative. 

Commissioner Staples and his wife, Janet, have four grown children.

Yes
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Transcript - Todd D. Staples Interview.pdf134.58 KB