Rick Avery, Ph.D., is the director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and leads the largest cooperative extension service in the United States, with an annual budget of $229 million and more than 1,750 employees across 250 offices serving all 254 counties in Texas. The agency provides statewide educational programming in agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, 4-H and youth development, and community economic development.
Avery has an extensive background in public service and government relations, including work on Capitol Hill and with state and local government organizations. He previously served as deputy director of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments and as county relations officer for the Texas Association of Counties, providing education and resources to elected officials in all Texas counties.
Within the agency, Dr. Avery served more than two decades as an Extension specialist and as director of the V.G. Young Institute of County Government. He developed leadership and advanced training programs for county officials, including the Commissioners Court Leadership Academy and advanced certification curricula.
A native of Needville in Fort Bend County, Avery grew up active in 4-H, FFA, and athletics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Austin College and both a master’s degree in political science and a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas A&M University. He and his wife, Marcie, reside in Bryan, Texas.
