From the Field Photo
SEPTEMBER 2025
Longhorn spotted at Cooke County
Photo from Ray Horton
WORD FROM WEI
t the Railroad Commission, our greatest strength has always been our people. Each of you plays an important role in making sure Texans benefit from safe and reliable energy development. Being a dedicated public servant isn’t just about the work you do each day; it’s about the pride you take in helping others outside your work duties, which has been shown time and time again.
A recent example was how our sta rallied to raise more than $9,600 in donations to support relief e orts for those impacted by this summer’s devasting floods in Central Texas.
The annual State Employee Charitable Campaign launched this month, and that is another occasion in which our sta has stepped up over the years to help our neighbors in need. There’s
more information about the campaign in this newsletter.
You’ll also read about one of our employees who went “above and beyond” to help Texans for more than two decades, going back to his high school days! It’s yet another example of our sta ’s willingness to help our communities outside work.
Finally, as many families mark the start of a new school year, I also want to send a special thanks to parents here at the RRC who are juggling back-to-school routines alongside your important work. Whether you're taking first-day-of-school photos, packing lunches or reviewing homework, we value the care you bring both at home and on the job. Thank you for everything you do.
CLOSING CHAPTERS, LASTING IMPACT
deep field knowledge and commitment to public safety. His work helped uphold the integrity of oil and gas operations across the region, and his presence in the field earned the respect of colleagues and operators alike.
private sector after 10 years of service.
Tommy Moldonado began his remarkable journey with the RRC in January 1991, starting in the mailroom. His role o ered him the autonomy he cherished, allowing him to work at his own pace while embracing the responsibility of managing his tasks independently. Beyond delivering mail to various divisions, Tommy’s contributions extended far beyond his job description. His knack for handling very heavy equipment, as well as various other laborious tasks showcased his versatility and can-do spirit, all without a single complaint.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Joann Cortez for her incredible 30 years of dedicated service to the agency. As an Administrative Assistant in the Corpus Christi District O ce, Joann was a steady and invaluable presence, supporting her team with professionalism, warmth and unwavering commitment.
After 25 years of service to the RRC, David Koran leaves behind a legacy of dedication and expertise. As a geoscientist in the Surface Mining Division, David played a vital role in protecting Texas’ natural resources and supporting responsible mining practices.
John Whitsitt, Oil and Gas inspector in the Wichita Falls District, retired after 23 years of dedicated service to our agency.
Throughout his career, John was known for his reliability,
Roy Philips retired at the end of August after 17 years of state service. Roy played a key role in advancing the agency’s digital transformation, helping make tens of millions of public records more accessible online. His work was instrumental in modernizing how the RRC serves the public, and his dedication to innovation and accuracy made him an invaluable part of the team. We are grateful for Roy’s contributions and wish him well in this next chapter.
We extend our sincere thanks to David Ondrasek for eight years of dedication as an oil and gas inspector in the San Antonio District.
We also recognize Araceli Condos for her five years with us and 26 years of overall state service. As an accountant in Financial Services, Araceli’s contributions supported the agency’s fiscal health and helped ensure accountability across operations.
Both David and Araceli made a meaningful impact, and we are grateful for the time and talent they shared with the RRC.
Natalie Dubiel started with the O ce of General Counsel ten years ago and was most recently an Assistant General Counsel providing legal support for the Oversight & Safety and Critical Infrastructure divisions. Her crucial work over the years included helping the RRC implement the state’s weatherization standards to ensure natural gas flows during weather emergencies.
HUMAN RESOURCES INFORMATION
As Fiscal Year 2025 ended on Aug. 31, 2025, the RRC welcomes Fiscal Year 2026 with important updates for employees.
ANNUAL LEAVE ROLLOVER
Excess annual leave hours beyond the allowable carryover limit were converted to sick leave of Aug. 31, 2025. Carryover limits, based on years of service, are detailed in the Annual Leave section of the RRC Employee Handbook, accessible via Inside RRC.
Inside RRC
BENEFIT CHANGES
Health benefit changes elected during open enrollment will appear on the Oct. 1, 2025, paycheck. Employees who did not make changes during open enrollment will see no adjustments to their benefits.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
Performance evaluations for Fiscal Year 2025 were due by Aug. 31, 2025. Employees should schedule a meeting with their manager to review ratings for goals and competencies and to set objectives for Fiscal Year 2026. Managers may also discuss merit awards during these one-on-one sessions. if applicable.
Telework Policy Reinstatement
All telework agreements are subject to annual review based on performance evaluations. Eligible employees must sign a new telework agreement outlining expectations, schedules, equipment and responsibilities. Telework may not begin without a completed and approved agreement. For details visit the link below.
Learn More
Contact Information
If you have more questions, contact Human Resources at humanresources@rrc.texas.gov
GROW PROGRAM HONORS 2025 GROUNDWORK GRADUATES
In August, the agency celebrated the completion of the 12-month RRC Leadership and Development Program by the GROW Groundwork graduates. Groundwork, the initial level of a three-tier program, aims to nurture high-performing employees' potential, followed by Opportunity and Wisdom levels. This year, 16 employees from various agency divisions received certificates upon graduating from the program. The primary goal of Grow Groundwork is to establish a robust foundation for ongoing leadership development.
Participants completed an intensive curriculum delivered by top-ranked learning institutions, including a one-week leadership course from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business Executive Education Division on the UT campus. For the third consecutive year, an outstanding graduate received the Award of Distinction.
Melissa Glaze from the O ce of General Counsel
earned the Rising Star Award for her exceptional leadership, responsibility and resilience. Congratulations to her on this prestigious honor.
Danny Sorrells, Assistant Executive Director and Director of the Oil and Gas Division, delivered inspiring remarks, highlighting the agency's ongoing projects and accomplishments while presenting graduates with their certificates.
Congratulations to all graduates for their dedication and hard work. Their commitment sets an inspiring example for others.
Leadership Lens is dedicated to leadership insights. Through monthly Q&As, hear directly from RRC leadership on past experiences, strategic approaches, visions for the future, division resources and tips on fostering professional growth.
THIS MONTH, WE ARE PLEASED TO FEATURE ALEX SCHOCH, RRC GENERAL COUNSEL.
OGC sta are often engaged with RRC sta to provide legal support during emergency situations. Our sta is trained to provide calm, immediate and e ective legal support during any emergency that the Commission encounters, and to help find solutions that help protect the RRC and its sta . 2 1 3 4
What’s one thing about your department that might surprise other employees?
OGC sta handle all legal issues that arise at every level of the Commission. This makes OGC one of the few divisions that regularly interacts with every other division of the Commission. We strive to provide the same prompt and high-quality support to every member of sta .
How do you see your division evolving over the next few years?
We see artificial intelligence being adopted in the legal community, and we see possible future opportunities for its use within OGC. The best opportunities will be for large-scale document reviews, which are common with public information requests and in connection with hearings and litigation. One example might be an AI tool embedded in a common research tool such as Lexis Nexis or Westlaw. OGC is working with IT to ensure that any use of AI would be in services that have been approved by IT and the State.
How does your team handle emergency situations?
If you were to play hooky from work, where would we find you?
You’d find me and my wife Michele enjoying live music. Austin has so many opportunities to enjoy live performances, and we enjoy them all. From something bluesy at Antone’s, to the fields of Zilker Park during ACL, to Christmas carols in the Capitol Rotunda, to a taping of Luke Combs at Austin City Limits, live music is one of the best things Austin has to o er.
PROTECTING TEXAS ON TWO FRONTS
RRC employees bring diverse skills to their roles, often applying their expertise beyond the workplace to serve their communities. Travis Golson, a seven-year veteran of the RRC and the District O ce Cleanup Coordinator in Abilene, exemplifies this commitment. In addition to his work ensuring environmental safety, Travis was a volunteer firefighter with the Burkett Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) which he started helping when he was in high school!
Volunteer firefighting demands more than occasional participation. Travis was a firefighter for more than 20 years until his recent retirement from the VFD. He dedicated several hours each week to training and meetings, on top of his RRC responsibilities managing the cleanup of abandoned oil and gas sites. During the dry fire season, he volunteered two to three days at times battling wildfires, protecting the vast Big Country region of West Central Texas from devastating blazes that threaten land, homes and livelihoods.
Travis’s roles as Cleanup Coordinator and volunteer firefighter shared a common thread: safeguarding communities. At the RRC, he protects public health and Texas’s natural resources by overseeing the remediation of contaminated sites. With the VFD, he fought fires to save homes, farms and pastures, applying a similar dedication to public safety in high-stakes situations.
Firefighting involves dangerous conditions. Travis’s first experience came as a high school senior, when a grassfire near Cross Plains threatened the town. While returning from a basketball tournament, he received a call about the blaze and joined his VFD colleagues. For two days, they went door-to-door, urging residents to evacuate as the fire raged out of control. Tragically, the fire consumed more than 7,000 acres, destroyed 116 homes and the local Methodist Church and claimed the lives of two elderly women unable to evacuate.
Travis also helped combat the devastating Eastland Complex Fire in Eastland County in 2022, which burned 54,000 acres, destroyed 86 homes in Carbon and took the life of an Eastland County Deputy Sergeant who was working to save others.
Through his work at the RRC and his service with the Burkett VFD, Travis exemplifies our “above and beyond” commitment to help Texas and communities across the state.
2025 STATE EMPLOYEE CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
From Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) invites Texas state employees to support more than 1,000 local charities. This annual workplace giving campaign funds critical services, including meals for the hungry, service dogs for veterans, support for cancer survivors, shelters for domestic violence survivors and programs promoting health, safety and strength for Texans.
Last year, the RRC raised $2,150. Our 2025 goal is to double that amount.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Join the following events hosted at the William B. Travis Building in Austin. Detailed information will be shared in the coming weeks.
• TRIVIA TOURNAMENT: Sept. 10
• CHILI COOK-OFF: Sept. 24
• JAIL AND BAIL: Oct. 8
• PUMPKIN DECORATING: Oct. 22
• SILENT AUCTION: Oct. 29
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE:
• ONE-TIME DONATION: Sept. 10
• PAYROLL DEDUCTION: Sept. 24
• CONTACT THE COORDINATOR: OCT.8
FAQs
Do district o ce employees need to support Capital Area charities for their donations to count toward the RRC total?
No. Select a local charity that resonates with you and designate the Railroad Commission as your agency on SECC Online Giving. Your contribution will count toward the RRC’s total, regardless of the charity’s location.
Where can I learn more about the SECC and local charities?
Visit the link below for details on the SECC and available charities in your area.
LEARN MORE
Who can I contact with questions?
Reach out to Human Resources at humanresources@rrc.texas.gov or SECC Campaign Coordinator Elyce Hill at Elyce.Hill@rrc.texas.gov.
From Texas Towns to Chicago: RRC Team Engages Communities
This summer, RRC teams advanced our mission by connecting with community leaders and the public across Texas and beyond. Below is a summary of our colleagues' impactful outreach e orts.
Engaging Texas Communities
The O ce of Public Engagement forged meaningful connections through local Rotary clubs statewide. Rafael Navas and Brad Cox, with Pipeline Safety, represented the RRC at the North and East County Judges and Commissioners Conference, strengthening ties with county o cials while discussing our regulatory role in the oil and gas industry.
Navas addressed the Rotary Club of Temple, highlighting the RRC’s contributions to Texas’ position as the nation’s leading energy producer. Scott Sroufe spoke at the Southlake Rotary Club, while Ti any Cotledge engaged the North Shore Rotary Club in Houston, answering questions about well-plugging and pipeline operations.
Showcasing Innovation in Chicago
Dr. Andy Piñon, Brownfields Response Program Coordinator, represented Texas at the national Brownfields 2025 Conference in Chicago. She presented research from an RRC-led assessment in League City, where drone surveys identified 11 magnetic anomalies indicating orphaned wells across a 94-acre site.
This work, overseen by the Brownfields Response
Program and State Managed Cleanup Program, showcased how technological advancements enhance environmental cleanup. Outside the conference, Piñon explored Chicago, walking along Lake Michigan and navigating public transit!
Building Trust Statewide and Beyond
From explaining pipeline safety to Rotary members to presenting cutting-edge cleanup technology to environmental professionals, our team fosters trust and shares expertise. These interactions ensure the RRC’s work remains responsive to local needs and aligned with Texans’ values. A heartfelt thank you to the entire RRC team for serving as exceptional ambassadors for Texas.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SPOTLIGHT: STAYING CONNECTED ACROSS TEXAS
* Click on yellow button to view more information
GROW PROGRAM HONORS 2025 GROUNDWORK GRADUATES
RRC employees bring local expertise to our mission, whether based in Austin or across the state. To ensure all employees can fully utilize their benefits, the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) provides comprehensive resources accessible from anywhere.
FROM TEXAS TOWNS TO CHICAGO: RRC TEAM ENGAGES COMMUNITIES
HEALTH INSURANCE: Most full-time employees are automatically enrolled in HealthSelect of Texas unless opted out. Alternatives include consumer Directed HealthSelect and Out-of-State HealthSelect for those outside Texas.
LIFE & AD&D INSURANCE: Eligible full-time employees receive automatic $5,000 Basic Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage.
OPTIONAL BENEFITS: Within 31 days of hire, enroll in dental, vision, optional life and disability insurance without evidence of insurability.
RETIREMENT & SAVINGS: Automaic enrollment in the State of Texas Retirement Plan. Optional contributions to Texa$aver 401(K)/457 accounts are available.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING: Options include Texflex Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts with state contributions.
WELLNESS: Access active wellness programs.
EMPLOYEE DEADLINES & COVERAGE START DATES
BENEFIT TYPE
Optional Benefits
Health Insurance (GBP)
Missing Enrollment
DEADLINE
Within 31 days of hire
Within 60 days of hire
Summer enrollment or Qualifying life event
COVERAGE BEGINS
Immediately or next month
First of month after 60th day
Later date with limitations
TIP: Missing enrollment deadlines may delay coverage or require evidence of insurability. Review the ERS New Employee Guide for details.
ERS MEMBER SERVICES: Call (877) 275-4377 or TDD 711, Mon.-Fri., 8 AM - 5 PM
LEARN MORE
LOCAL BENEFITS COORDINATOR/HR: Contact Jennica Preston at Jennica.Preston@rrc.texas.gov for enrollment assistance and paperwork.
ONLINE RESOURCES:
NEW EMPLOYEE BENEFITS GUIDES BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
QUICK REFERENCE: WHO TO CONTACT
NEED HELP WITH
Benefits or enrollment issues
General ERS benefits questions
Plan information & guides
Benefits Coordinator/HR
ERS Member Services: (877) 275-4377 CONTACT:
ERS Website: ERS.Texas.gov
FINAL NOTE: Regardless of your location in Texas, ERS benefits and support are fully accessible. Track enrollment deadlines, contact your benefits coordinator for questions and visit ers.texas.gov for the latest information.
REMINDER: SPEAKER REQUEST PROCESS
Employees invited to speak at an event, join a panel or sta an exhibit booth must obtain approval by submitting a Speaker Request Form.
Submission Process
The form is available on RRC Inside at https://inside.rrc.texas.gov/divisions/comms/index.html. It requires key event details, including date, time, location and presentation topic.
Upon submission, the requestor receives an automated confirmation. The request routes to the employee’s manager, division director and the director of public a airs for approval. Once approved, both the employee and the requestor will receive a confirmation email. Approval must be secured before confirming any speaking engagement.
Contact Information
For questions, contact Scott Sroufe or Rafael Navas in the O ce of Public Engagement.
KNOW IT:
UPDATED 639 HOLD PROCESS
Texas law authorizes the RRC to suspend or restore an organization’s ability to conduct business with the agency or restrict specific activities through mechanisms like a TNR91.114 hold, commonly known as a 639 hold.
Transition to LoneSTAR
The processing of 639 holds has shifted from the mainframe to LoneSTAR, the RRC’s new Oil and Gas platform, which enhances e ciency, enables real-time data sharing and strengthens integration across RRC systems. This collaborative e ort between program and IT sta ensures seamless operations and compliance with regulatory requirements.
While the Case Administration Service Electronic System (CASES) remains the system of record for dockets, LoneSTAR now serves as the system of record for 639 holds.
This transition o ers several benefits in various functions. Elimination of mainframe docket creation
There is now a real-time addition and removal of 639 holds, replacing overnight mainframe processing. This is critical, as a 639 hold typically restricts an organization’s ability to conduct business with the RRC. Program and IT sta collaborated to streamline processes and standardize data across systems, including the mainframe, CASES, LoneSTAR, GoAnywhere and MuleSoft.
System Roles
The 639 hold process begins in CASES, where a docket is created and processed until finalized. Upon finalization, a “Law Date” is added, signaling that a 639 hold should be applied to the organization. CASES also transmits data when a hold is lifted.
MuleSoft
MuleSoft facilitates integration by connecting applications such as Salesforce, LoneSTAR and RRC Online, as well as data sources like the onsite Data Warehouse and cloud-based Snowflake. When a Law Date is added, CASES instantly notifies MuleSoft of new or updated docket data, which MuleSoft relays to LoneSTAR.
LoneSTAR
LoneSTAR applies or maintains 639 holds on the docketed organization, its o cers and any related organizations sharing common o cers. Updated hold status data is then sent back to CASES, ensuring accurate records for organizations and o cers.
HELPING OTHERS CAN HELP YOU
Helping others not only makes a di erence in their lives but also o ers significant benefits for your mental health. When you lend a hand – whether through volunteering, supporting a friend or performing small acts of kindness –your brain releases “feel-good” chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin. These natural mood enhancers reduce stress, elevate your spirits and promote a sense of calm. Regular acts of kindness can strengthen emotional resilience over time, helping you better navigate life’s challenges.
Beyond the chemical response, helping others fosters a sense of purpose and connection. Many people experience feelings of isolation or low self-esteem but supporting someone
else reminds you that your actions matter and that you are part of a larger community. Knowing you’ve brightened someone’s day can enhance your sense of meaning and belonging, which combats loneliness and builds stronger, more supportive relationships essential for mental well-being.
Additionally, helping others shifts your perspective. Focusing on someone else’s needs can distract you from personal worries, reducing rumination – the cycle of overthinking that often intensifies stress and anxiety. This outward focus cultivates empathy, gratitude and a more balanced outlook on life. Kindness
creates a positive cycle: by lifting others up, you lift yourself up too.
As dedicated public servants, co-workers, friends, family members and good Samaritans, you have countless opportunities to perform acts of kindness daily. Simple gestures like holding the elevator door or greeting colleagues with a warm “good morning” can make a di erence. For those inspired to take their e orts further, volunteering with local organizations is a rewarding option. Below is a list of organizations where you can get involved. Remember, helping others helps you.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNIES
*CLICK ON EACH TITLE TO VIEW MORE INFORMATION
• Volunteer TX
• Texas Parks & Wildlife
• Texas VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)
• Communities for Recovery
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Time Capsule
Circa 1927-1930, mule teamsters employed by R.D. Dunn, an early teaming contractor, transported bunkhouses to the newly established Winkler County oil field in the Permian Basin.
Known as "muleskinners," these workers emerged swiftly after the discovery of oil in the region. The oil fields were often situated far from railroads and pipelines, necessitating their critical role in supporting early operations.