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,are as follows:
Eric Opiela - Presiding Officer
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.
Jonathan Scepanski, Assistant Presiding Officer
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.
Larry Allen
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.
Timothy Brown
Salvador Perches Jr.
Salvador “Sal” Perches of El Paso was born into the funeral profession, continuing the legacy of his parents who founded their family business in 1958. He attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1987 and earned his Associate Degree in 1989. Since becoming licensed that same year, he has built a distinguished career in funeral service and also holds licenses in New Mexico and California. From 1985 to 2000, he expanded his industry experience through the manufacturing of metal caskets. In 2000, he assumed the role of CEO of Perches Funeral Group, where he oversees 13 funeral homes, 3 cemeteries, and 6 crematories. He is also a Certified Crematory Operator and remains actively involved in the operational and strategic growth of the organization. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the profession. In 2013, he was recognized as Funeral Director of the Year by the American Funeral Director. He is an active member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association (TFDA), the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), and also belongs to several Latin and European associations, including ALPAR, ANDF, CONAPSEF, and FIAT-IFTA. Continuing his dedication to innovation and service, he founded the El Paso Funeral Museum and launched Perches Consulting Services in 2018. More recently, he established a hearse conversion company, Hearses by Perches in 2024 and Perches Planning Services, a pre-need agency, in 2025—further expanding the reach and impact of his work within the funeral industry.
Ivan Andarza
Ivan Andarza of Austin is an attorney at Andarza Law Office. He is a member of the Texas Bar and previously served on the Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents. He received a Bachelor of Business administration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin and a juris doctorate from Baylor University School of Law.
Jay Carnes
Jay Carnes of Texas City is owner and CEO of Carnes Funeral Home, Inc. He is a member and past Southeast Texas Region president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, member of the National Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, National Association of Funeral Directors – UK, and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, and former member Cremation Association of North America. He is a member and past chairman of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and Texas City Law Marque Chamber of Commerce, member and past president of Texas City Rotary, and an executive board member and past president of the 1894 Grand Opera House. Additionally, he is past president of Galveston Kiwanis, past deacon chairman of Galveston's First Baptist Church, past elder chairman of First Baptist Church, and current worship leader for 30 years at Galveston's First Baptist. Carnes received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University and Certificate in Funeral Directing from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
Look to the Commission Policies page to see policies enacted by Commissioners.