Mary Beth Rudel took office as Executive Director for Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) on September 28, 2023. Ms. Rudel began her career at ATCOG in 2008 in the Homeland Security Department. In this role, she facilitated emergency preparedness and response planning and training for first responders. She later became the Public Safety Manager in 2014 overseeing the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Program in addition to the Homeland Security Program. As the Public Safety Manager, Ms. Rudel was responsible for maintaining the 9-1-1 network, implementing technology upgrades, and strategic planning for both the 9-1-1 and Homeland Security programs. In 2018, Ms. Rudel became the Deputy Director for the agency where she coordinated with the Executive Director to ensure ATCOG remained in compliance with local, state and federal regulations. She supported the Executive Director in strategic planning for the agency as well as day-to-day functions and special projects.

During her time at ATCOG, Ms. Rudel has received recognition from state and national agencies for her work in regionally implemented projects. In 2014, she received the National Association of Development Organizations Innovation Award for the Regional Emergency Operations Center project. In 2016, Ms. Rudel received the Government Computer News Magazine’s digIT Award for the Regional Satellite Emergency Number System Deployment project. Most recently, Ms. Rudel received the Southwest Region Economic Development Association 2023 Star of the Southwest Award for the Reconstitution of the Red River Leadership Institute.

During her time as Public Safety Manager, Ms. Rudel served on two Customer Focus Groups (CFG) for the Commission on State Emergency Communications: the Governance CFG and the Grant Management System Implementation CFG. Ms. Rudel was also a Board Member for the Northeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. As Deputy Director, she served on the Texarkana Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Technical Advisory Committee. In her new role, she will serve on the MPO Policy Board as well as the Texas Association of Regional Councils Executive Directors’ Council.

Mary Beth graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, in 2007 and resides in Atlanta, Texas, with her husband and two daughters. She is a woman of faith and is a very active volunteer in her church and community.