TEEX’s Darren Smith Named 2025 Texas A&M University System Regents Fellow
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Darren Smith, program director for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Extension Program, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Texas A&M University System Regents Fellow Service Award. This prestigious honor recognizes his exceptional leadership, his decades of service to Texas communities and his unwavering commitment to training excellence across the state.
With nearly 40 years in the Texas fire service, Smith’s career has been defined by service, innovation and impact. From his earliest days as a volunteer firefighter in Boerne, Texas, to his current leadership role at TEEX, he has exemplified the core values of the Texas A&M University System.
“Darren’s career is a testament to what it means to lead with the values of integrity, excellence and selfless service,” said TEEX Agency Director David Coatney. “His leadership has improved first responder readiness across Texas, and his commitment to serving others sets an extraordinary example for all of us. Darren’s impact on the safety and readiness of communities across Texas cannot be overstated. Recognizing him with a Regents Fellow Award is not only fitting, it is deeply deserved.”
Even after four decades in the fire service, Smith remains a leader in advancing first responder preparedness. In his current role with TEEX, Smith oversees training for more than 20,000 individuals each year, totaling over 200,000 student contact hours. His efforts to strengthen relationships with state agencies have directly advanced TEEX’s mission and enhanced public safety across Texas. Smith’s knowledge and his approachable leadership style have made him an invaluable resource across the state.
The Texas A&M University System Regents Fellow designation is reserved for exemplary agency service, extension and research professionals. This year, Smith joins an elite group of 13 professionals across the Texas A&M System recognized for their extraordinary contributions. For more information about TEEX, please visit teex.org.
About TEEX
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is an internationally recognized leader in emergency response training, workforce training and technical assistance. In 2024, TEEX trained more than 225,000 participants from every U.S. state and territory and 124 countries worldwide.
Major TEEX programs include Fire and Emergency Services, Infrastructure and Safety, Law Enforcement and Protective Services, and Business and Cyber Solutions. Additionally, through its National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (NERRTC), TEEX provides federally funded homeland security training and technical assistance for communities across the nation. The agency also sponsors the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) and the Texas A&M Task Force 1 (TX-TF1), Texas Task Force 2 (TX-TF2), and Texas A&M Task Force 3 (TX-TF3) Urban Search and Rescue Teams.
Distributed by:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
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