On Oct. 3, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Tonya Miller to serve as a Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a term set to expire on Aug. 31, 2031.

Prior to her appointment, Commissioner Miller served as a board member for the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) since 2024.

Commissioner Miller grew up in South Dakota but has been in Austin since attending law school at the University of Texas at Austin. During her time there, she was an intern for a representative in the Texas House where her interest in working in the public sector began.

“After law school, I began my career with the state at the Legislative Budget Board,” she said. “I came into the environmental world by chance but stayed because I felt a strong desire for the work. I believe what we do at TCEQ is extremely important for the environment and the economy.”

While it can be a tough balance, Commissioner Miller said the challenge makes the work more rewarding. She has over 20 years’ experience in state government as an appointee under two different Texas governors and working at six different state agencies.

“Coming back to TCEQ, I am most looking forward to connecting with staff again. I believe we have some of the best staff in the state and I learn from them every day,” she said. “They are passionate about what they do and committed to making Texas a better place.”

Outside of work, Commissioner Miller is both a homebody and avid traveler. She enjoys visiting other countries and learning about new cultures.

“I tend to get a little stir-crazy if I do not have some type of getaway planned and I even used my daughter’s study abroad semester as a reason to visit Europe twice in one summer,” she said. “My next trip is to Antarctica -where I hope to see some amazing wildlife and landscapes.  If I am not off traveling then I enjoy reading, running, Pilates and just hanging out with my husband and dogs.”