The TFSC is comprised of seven Commissioners appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two members must be licensed as both an embalmer and a funeral director for at least five years preceding appointment, one member must be a crematory owner or operator, and four members must represent the public. The public members may not be regulated under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 651, and must consistently show an interest in supporting consumer protection. The Governor designates the presiding officer to serve for a period of three years.
Members serve six year terms. Current Commission members, with the expiration dates of their terms, are as follows:
Kristin Tips, Presiding Officer
Commissioner Tips of San Antonio is the president, COO, and funeral director of Mission Park Funeral Chapels, Cemeteries and Crematories. She is a member of the International Cemetery, Cremation, Funeral Service Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Additionally, she is a member of the Texas Funeral Director Association and the Texas Cemeteries Association. Kristin received a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of the Incarnate Word and an Associates of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science from San Antonio College.
Governor Greg Abbott named Commissioner Tips Presiding Officer on May 6, 2024.
Larry Allen, (2/1/2027)
Commissioner Allen attended Amber University, the Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute School of Police Supervision and graduated from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Academy in 1974. Until 1979, Allen served as Deputy of the Dallas County Sheriff's Department before serving as Lieutenant of the Mesquite Police Department and retiring in 2009. Throughout his 35 years of law enforcement, Allen served as a Criminal Investigations Division detective, and as sergeant and lieutenant, he lead the Family Support Team of the Mesquite Police Department. While serving at the Mesquite Police Department, Allen became a member of the National Emergency Number Association and Association of Public Safety Communication Officials. He is the current Chariman of the Mesquite Planning and Zoning Commission and the Mesquite Capital Improvement Advisiory Commission, and serves as a member of the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance, Mesquite Independent School District Career Technical Education and City of Mesquite Retirees Association. He remains active in the First Baptist Church of Rockwall.
Allen was appointed to the Texas Funeral Service Commission by Governor Greg Abbott on April 29, 2021.
Kevin Combest (2/1/2025)
Commissioner Combest of Lubbock is President of Combest Family Funeral Homes & Crematory. He has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1996, a Certified Crematory Operator since 2001, and has held his General Lines Insurance license since 2009. Combest earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University in Excercise Sport Science and Associate of Applied Science degree from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He received his certification by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner in 2012. Kevin received the Panhandle Funeral Dierctor of the year in 2013 and has been an active member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, the Panhandle Funeral Directors Association, as well as the Cremation Association of North America. Kevin was instrumental in developing House Bill 56 during the 80th Legislative Session which allowed commercial embalming establishments to own and operate a crematory within their location. Kevin served on the Hospice of Lubbock Board of Directors chairing the Conflicts and Compensation Committee. He attends Sunset Church of Christ where he has served as deacon of his church as well as helping develop a grief share program that continues to be active today.
Kevin was appointed to the Texas Funeral Service Commission by Governor Abbott in August 2019.
Eric Opiela (2/1/2025)
Commissioner Opiela of Austin is an attorney for Eric Opiela PLLC. He is President of the South Texans' Property Rights Association, a member of the State Bar of Texas, a life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and is one of only five board certified attorneys in Legislative and Campaign Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Additionally, he is the Treasurer for the Catholic Community Foundation of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and a Director for the Karnes City ISD Education Foundation. He also serves as the Wing Legal Officer for the Texas Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Opiela received a Bachelor of Arts in History Honors and Government from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law.
Eric was appointed to the Texas Funeral Service Commission by Governor Abbott in March 2022.
Dianne Hefley, (2/1/2029)
Commissioner Hefley of Amarillo is a residential real estate agent with Coldwell Banker First Equity Realtors and was a teacher for 33 years. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, Amarillo Association of Realtors, and the Amarillo Retired Teacher Association. She is a former member of the National Education Association and the Texas Teachers Association. Dianne received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Earth Sciences from Texas A&M at Commerce.
Dianne was appointed to the Texas Funeral Service Commission by Governor Abbott in October 2017.
Jonathan Scepanski, Assistant Presiding Officer (2/1/2025)
Commissioner Scepanski is currently the Chief Operating Officer with Apex Primary Care, where he has been employed since 2005. He handles the day to day operating activities, including management. He is involved in developing and establishing operating policies to support overall company policies and objectives. He is an advocate for the healthcare industry and takes part in the policy and rule making process with the Texas Health and Human Services and the State of Texas. Jonathan is a board member of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice and sits on committees for Government Affairs and Community Care. He is an active member of local community advisory work groups with the Managed Care Organizations (Superior, CIGNA HealthSpring) in South Texas. He sits on multiple workgroups to advise the Health and Human Services (HHS) in making policy recommendations to ensure that recipients receive the services for which they’re eligible. Jonathan has attended Northwood University, with a concentration in Marketing and Management.
Jonathan was reappointed to the Texas Funeral Service Commission by Governor Abbott in August 2019.
Timothy Brown (2/1/2027)
Look to the Commission Policies page to see policies enacted by Commissioners.