The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the organization responsible for licensing businesses and regulating facilities and corporations across Texas, has appointed Brian Francis as its short-term Executive Director. His term is set to commence on January 6th and will last up to six months.

According to TDLR, Brian E. Francis has previously served as the executive director of the Texas Sunset Commission until August 2023. Currently, Christina Kaiser, a TDLR veteran of 30 years, is serving as an interim director. Kaiser, who has held various roles and duties throughout her tenure at TDLR since 2000 - including serving as the Director of Enforcement Division - will retire on December 31st.

As reported by The Austin Villager, Francis will continue in this role for six months, starting January 2nd, until a permanent replacement is found. It's worth noting that this isn't Francis' first stint in this role; he served as Executive Director from September 2016 until his retirement in 2022.

TDLR says that the department is responsible for overseeing many areas of business with their primary objective being community service in a safe and consistent manner. Some of their key goals include maintaining low costs and organization, promoting transparency and honesty, and providing understandable support to their customers.