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The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kendria Ray as the agency’s new Executive Director, effective June 1. In January 2026, Rex Isom announced his retirement, closing a career spanning over 38 years with TSSWCB, including 23 years as Executive Director.
Ray brings more than 25 years of experience with the agency to the role and has played a critical role in advancing conservation programs and strengthening relationships with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and partners across the state.
“Kendria Ray’s deep institutional knowledge and unwavering commitment to conservation make her exceptionally well-qualified to lead this agency,” said Scott Buckles, Chairman of the TSSWCB. “Her career reflects a strong dedication to supporting our local districts, working lands, and the conservation of Texas’ most valuable natural resources.”
Established in 1939, the TSSWCB works in conjunction with local SWCDs to encourage the wise and productive use of natural resources. TSSWCB delivers technical and financial assistance to private landowners of Texas through Texas’ 216 local SWCDs, which are led by 1,080 locally elected district directors who are active in agriculture.
Ray currently serves as the Coordinator for Field Operations, where she provides leadership and support to field staff and works directly with SWCDs across the state to deliver conservation programs at the local level. In this role, she has helped guide the implementation of key initiatives, foster collaboration between local, state, and federal partners, and ensure that conservation efforts are both effective and responsive to the needs of Texas landowners.
SWCDs play a critical role in delivering voluntary state and federal program resources to farmers and ranchers where natural resource conservation needs have been identified or are critical to meeting the goals of TSSWCB’s overall mission. TSSWCB provides grants to SWCDs so they can adequately assist and implement soil and water programs through direct technical assistance with landowners.
Over the course of her career, Ray has developed a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s programs, allowing her to be a true asset in this role. Her work has consistently emphasized the importance of locally led conservation and the vital role that SWCDs play in protecting and enhancing Texas’ soil and water resources.
“I am honored to serve as Executive Director and continue working alongside the dedicated conservation leaders across our state,” Ray said. “For more than two decades, I have had the privilege of supporting the mission of this agency and the work of our local districts. Texas’ soil and water resources are the foundation of our agricultural success and rural communities, and I look forward to building on the strong legacy of TSSWCB while continuing to support the land stewards who care for these resources every day.”
Ray’s appointment reflects the agency’s continued commitment to strong leadership, collaboration, and locally driven conservation. Under her direction, TSSWCB will continue to advance programs that address critical natural resource concerns, strengthen partnerships, and support the long-term sustainability of Texas agriculture and rural communities.
