Thomas Palladino has served as the Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission since 2010. In this position he is responsible for directing the overall administration of the agency and provides leadership for all stakeholders within the State of Texas to accomplish its mission which is to advocate for and provide superior service that will significantly improve the quality of life for all Texas Veterans, their Families, and their survivors. Additionally, Tom Palladino is a Past President of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.
He retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Army in September 2009 after 27 years of service (1982- 2009). During this time Tom Palladino served in both the active U.S. Army and the Texas Army National Guard as an Active Guard Reserve officer.
As an Armored Cavalry Officer during the Cold War, he served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) and patrolled the East-West Germany border in the Fulda Gap. He also served as an Armored Cavalry Troop Commander in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Brave Rifles) at Ft. Bliss, Texas.
In the Texas Army National Guard, Tom Palladino served under the Adjutant General where he provided needed support and assistance to Texas National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and military family members. He coordinated a state-wide collaborative partnership among all federal, state, and local organizations to enhance benefits and services for all military veterans and their families in the State of Texas.
He also served as an Associate Professor of Military Science (Army ROTC) at the University of Texas at Austin and an Associate Professor in Government at Austin Community College. As a Texas Public School Social Studies teacher, he taught High School and Middle School students in the Austin and Pflugerville Independent School Districts.
Tom Palladino’s education includes a BA in Political Science from Providence College and a MA in Political Science from Texas State University, Texas. Additionally, he possesses a Texas Secondary Education Teaching Certificate and Texas Public School Principal’s Certification.
His father, Victor, was a World War II Army Veteran who served in the Italian Campaign with the 5th US Army and both grandfathers were World War I Army Veterans who served with the 26th Infantry Division in France.