Denise Villalobos, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, has made a significant impact in both her professional career and public service. Born and raised in an economically disadvantaged environment, she pursued her education diligently. Denise graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University Kingsville with a degree in Chemical Engineering, followed by earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. Her professional journey includes working as an oil and gas project manager, where she has been instrumental in enhancing reliability programs for refineries, fostering team culture, and serving on the boards of national STEM organizations to inspire young students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Before her election to the Texas legislature, Denise was active in her local educational system, serving on the school board for Tuloso-Midway. Her efforts focused on prioritizing student safety and empowering parents and teachers while ensuring children have access to opportunities that lead to good-paying jobs. Through her engagement in public education, she emphasized the importance of quality schooling in shaping future generations.
Denise is married to Ruben, who is also a Chemical Engineer, and together they are foster parents to a young boy named Ezekiel. They reside in Corpus Christi, where they are committed to giving back to their community.
In the 89th Legislative Session, Denise serves on the Appropriations, Natural Resources, and Local & Consent Calendars committees, where she is involved in discussions that shape fiscal policies, natural resource management, and local governance. Her legislative efforts are evident in the bills she has sponsored and co-sponsored this session.
Among her significant contributions is House Bill 735 (HB735), which focuses on the required labeling of meat, poultry, shrimp, and related food products. This bill intends to foster consumer trust by providing transparent labeling of food sources—a measure expected to enhance food safety protocols and support local agriculture.
Denise also sponsored House Bill 2487 (HB2487) regarding the procedures for hearings on vehicle title issues, streamlining processes to make them more efficient for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Additionally, she introduced House Bill 4801 (HB4801), establishing a grant program for the Nueces County Hospital District to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, addressing critical local healthcare needs.
Her legislative endeavors also include House Bill 5149 (HB5149), which seeks to protect the privacy of children in foster care by restricting the use of DNA samples without written consent from biological parents.
Politically, Denise Villalobos leans towards enhancing public welfare through support for education, healthcare recruitment, and consumer protection initiatives. Her involvement in strong regulatory measures indicates a commitment to transparency. However, she also navigates contentious issues, such as balancing the needs of local agriculture against operational costs for businesses and ensuring fair access to both educational resources and health services. Her focus on these areas establishes her as a proponent of community engagement and practical solutions for local issues.
In summary, Denise Villalobos exemplifies a dedicated public servant whose professional background in engineering and commitment to education and community welfare informs her legislative approach. As she continues her work in the Texas legislature, her efforts aim to foster a more equitable and transparent civic environment for her constituents.