Governor Abbott Appoints Two And Names Chair Of Automobile Burglary And Theft Prevention Authority
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Miguel “Mike” Rodriguez and Phillip Shay Gause to the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. Additionally, the Governor has named Tommy Hansen as chair. The authority assesses the scope of motor vehicle theft in Texas and supports a statewide law enforcement network through grants, auto theft reduction initiatives, education and public awareness.
Miguel “Mike” Rodriguez of Laredo is Deputy Chief of Police for the Laredo Police Department. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Rodriguez received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Texas A&M International University.
Phillip Shay Gause of San Antonio is Director of the Special Investigations Unit for United Services Automobile Association. He is a member of the Texas Association of Special Investigation Units and of the International Association of Special Investigation Units. Gause received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from The Citadel and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Tommy Hansen of Hitchcock is a Deputy Sheriff and Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. He has been assigned to assist the FBI Safe Streets Task Force with a focus on cold case homicides and fugitives since 2013. Additionally, he served as the project director of the Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force from 1993 until 2016, when he was appointed to the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority. He has 45 years of law enforcement experience. He has also been a member and past president of the International Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators and the Texas Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators and is also involved with the North American Export Committee. He also serves as the coordinator of the Galveston County Citizen Sheriff’s Academy and helps raise money for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Galveston County and the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston through the Beat The Heat youth outreach program, Tropical Impression Racing. Hansen attended Galveston College and College of the Mainland and also graduated from the Galveston County Sheriff’s Academy.