Policyholder Spotlight – Coby Shorter III

Coby Shorter III is a policyowner with Ag Workers and is the retiring Deputy Secretary of State.


Deputy Shorter has served Texas for more than 30 years, working under three different Texas Governors. According to the Eagle Lake Headlight, Deputy Shorter started his career as an aide to the former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. As his career advanced, he served as director for agribusiness development for the Texas Department of Agriculture and then director for agriculture and conservation under former Governor George W. Bush.


In addition to his healthy public service career, Deputy Shorter is also a pastor and has served the Rosewood Avenue Baptist Church in Austin as well as the Providence Baptist Church of Eagle Lake.


When he was asked about his favorite quote, according to Roundtop.com, Deputy Shorter turned to the bible. “It’s from Revelations 3:8 “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”


My dad shared that with me. I was out of college, going through some challenges, some transitions. “[A]n open door that no one can shut,” that has been a compass for me. It reminds me to always look for opportunity.”


An Eagle Lake native, Deputy Shorter lives in Pflugerville with his wife, Patricia. They have a son, Coby Shorter IV who is attending Texas A&M. Deputy Shorter is also a former president of the Texas FFA and former officer of National FFA.


Thank you for your service to Texas and for being a loyal Ag Workers policyowner!