Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Ryan D. Larson as chair and Terence Davis as a member of the Child Protective Investigations Advisory Committee, with terms ending September 1, 2029. The committee is tasked with improving the accuracy and standardization of investigative legal requirements and policies in cases involving child abuse, neglect, and exploitation for individuals responsible for a child’s care.
Ryan D. Larson serves as the Presiding Judge of the 395th Judicial District Court in Williamson County, Texas. His previous roles include head administrative law judge at the Railroad Commission of Texas and assistant attorney general in the Texas Attorney General’s Office. He founded and presides over the Williamson County Family Recovery Court, which supports families affected by substance use and mental health issues involved in Child Protective Services cases. Larson also established the Williamson County Community Coalition to foster cross-system coordination for court outcomes. He is affiliated with several legal organizations including the State Bar of Texas, State Bar of California, Texas Bar Foundation, Williamson County Bar Association, Federalist Society, and Christian Legal Society. Larson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School.
Terence Davis is judge of the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County. Before this role, he owned Davis Law Firm, P.C., and holds board certification in family law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Davis participates actively in professional associations such as the State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section), Williamson County Bar Association (where he served as president), Williamson County American Inn of Court (founding member), and Christian Legal Society of Williamson County (co-founder). He also sits on the board at Journey Bible Fellowship Church and previously led Block House Municipal Utility District’s board. Davis received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott leads executive functions for state government initiatives that include economic development, education enhancement, border security efforts like Operation Lone Star, job creation strategies that have contributed to record employment levels across Texas, community support programs addressing child sex trafficking prevention efforts statewide [source]. Governor Abbott was elected to lead this office in 2014 [source].
