TABC selects director of Licensing, general counsel, and CFO

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is announcing the selection of three longtime public servants to fill crucial leadership roles across the agency.

Longtime TABC employee Julie Ross will begin as director of Licensing on Dec. 1, 2022. Ross has served Texans for 29 years in TABC’s Licensing Division, where she most recently served as deputy director of resource and planning. 

She has extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, and her most recent positions have allowed her to interact with elected officials and stakeholders on a wide array of topics. Ross was also instrumental in licensing technology transformation, development of policies and procedures, and numerous other projects.

Conrad Swan began as chief financial officer in the Business Services Division on Nov. 7. Swan’s career in Texas government has spanned tenures at the General Land Office and Office of the Attorney General. During his 17 years working for the state, he has served in roles ranging from budget manager to deputy budget director. Swan has extensive experience in government budgetary management and operations.

Swan is a lifelong resident of Central Texas. He graduated from Texas State University and later attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, where he earned a Master of Business Administration.

James Person began as the agency’s general counsel Nov. 1. Person previously served as general counsel for the Texas Department of Insurance, where he led a team of almost 50 lawyers and support staff. He has also served as an assistant general counsel to Gov. Greg Abbott, an assistant attorney general at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, and an assistant general counsel at the Texas Lottery Commission.

Person has a law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.