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 during child abuse, neglect, and exploitation investigations involving those 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 addresses cases involving families affected by substance use and mental health conditions. Larson also established the Williamson County Community Coalition to support court outcomes through community partnerships. He is affiliated with several professional 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 holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA and a Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School.
Terence Davis is currently judge of the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County. Before this role, he owned Davis Law Firm, P.C., and is board certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Davis belongs to various legal associations such as the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section and has held leadership positions within local bar associations. He helped found both the Williamson County American Inn of Court and Christian Legal Society of Williamson County. In addition to his legal work, he serves on the board at Journey Bible Fellowship Church and has previously led Block House Municipal Utility District’s board. Davis earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and his Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
The Office of Governor Greg Abbott leads executive functions for Texas state government from its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building (https://gov.texas.gov/). Under Abbott’s leadership since 2014 (https://gov.texas.gov/), priorities have included economic development, education enhancement, border security efforts such as Operation Lone Star, job growth initiatives resulting in record employment levels statewide (https://gov.texas.gov/), child sex trafficking prevention programs (https://gov.texas.gov/), protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment in schooling decisions (https://gov.texas.gov/), community initiatives supporting families (https://gov.texas.gov/), collaborations with businesses like Southwest Airlines for economic expansion (https://gov.texas.gov/), as well as recognition for Governor Abbott among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 (https://gov.texas.gov/). The office delivers services across all regions in Texas as part of its executive branch responsibilities (https://gov.texas.gov/).
