Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Andrew Friedrichs as the new executive director of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, with the appointment taking effect on March 1, 2026. Friedrichs will serve in this role at the discretion of the governor.
Friedrichs, who is based in Austin, currently serves as executive director for the Commission on State Emergency Communications. He previously held the position of deputy director at the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, also known as the Governor’s Public Safety Office. His background includes an honorable discharge from the United States Navy. Friedrichs holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts degree in criminology from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been recognized for contributing to statewide job growth and record employment levels, according to its official website. The office operates primarily out of Austin in the State Insurance Building and provides services throughout Texas. Since his election in 2014, Greg Abbott has led initiatives focused on economic opportunities, education improvement, individual liberties protection, parental involvement in schooling, and border security. The office received national recognition when Greg Abbott was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024.
