Executive Board

Billy Tidwell serves as the President of SFFMA. He is the chief for Ralls Fire Department. Phone 806.777.5393

Mark Wobus serves as the 1st Vice President of SFFMA. He was born and raised in Central Texas and has served in the fire service since 1986. He has served in many areas of SFFMA and is proud to promote the fire service of Texas. Phone 979.966.8396

RJ Thomas serves as the 2nd Vice President of SFFMA. He is also the chief of the Ingleside on the Bay Volunteer Fire Department, and the Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Coastal Bend Council of Governments. Phone: 361.523.9447

Alexander Smith serves as the 3rd Vice President of SFFMA. He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Midwest Texas District Executive Board, and Instructor for the Midwest Texas Introductory Academy. He currently serves as the training officer for Ralls VFD. Phone: 325.269.1930

Joe Koch serves as the 4th Vice President of SFFMA. He is the fire chief of Randall County Fire Department and is treasurer and past president of the Panhandle Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association. He also is the vice chair of the SFFMA certification committee. Joe serves on the combination department committee and the travel grant committee. Phone: 806.231.2675

Brent Allen serves as the Secretary of SFFMA. He is an assistant chief for the Ballinger Fire Department and secretary of the Hill Country District. Phone: 325.977.1705

Michael Richter serves as the Assistant Secretary of SFFMA. He is the Certification Coordinator for Needville Fire Department. Phone: 832.490.8847

Ben Kennedy serves as the chaplain of SFFMA. Phone: 979-229-1263

Donny Boggs serves as the Immediate Past President of SFFMA. He is also the retired training director and chief of Recruit Fire Academies at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Phone: 979.220.0141

Rayford Gibson serves as the board appointed Parliamentarian. He is the fire chief of the Tatum Fire Department, and has been a member at Tatum for 33 years. He is retired but still conducts classes as a part-time instructor with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

Jaxen Tidwell is the SFFMA Mascot. He is from Ralls, Texas.

Cherry Kay Abel took the Executive Director role in January 2025. She is a seasoned association management executive with over sixteen years of experience leading organizations to achieve strategic growth, financial sustainability, and enhanced member engagement. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for her expertise in strategic and financial planning, advocacy, board governance, and volunteer management.

Read more about Cherry Kay in the January edition of e-InfoFIRE: https://sffma.bmeurl.co/11F772C5