Tianna Hawkins has 23 years of administrative professional experience. She worked for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for eight years before relocating to Spring and making her way to the South Montgomery County Fire Department in July 2012. Tianna provides administrative managerial support to Operations, Emergency Management, and the Safety and Training division, specializing in the Inspections Division, which is responsible for public education, fire prevention, inspections, and investigations. Tianna has TCFP certifications for FLSE I & II, a Master’s Degree, a Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration cum laude, a graduate certificate in Information technology, and a graduate certificate in Human Resources. Tianna enjoys spending her free time with her children, watching sports, and watching them participate in sports.

Jennifer Matas joined the South Montgomery County Fire Department in March 2014. Her primary responsibilities are the department’s accounting functions and supporting the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief.

Jennifer Hobbs joined South Montgomery County Fire Department in April 2017. She’s responsible for handling Human Resources, benefits, and payroll processing.

Jacqui Darrah joined South Montgomery County Fire Department in May 2016. She’s responsible for greeting citizen walk-in inquiries, all incoming nonemergency communication, and administrative support as needed.

Devin Craig has been a second-generation firefighter in the fire service since 2000.  Devin relocated to Spring and made his way to the South Montgomery County Fire Department in October of 2023 to become Captain of Safety and Training. He holds an associate degree from Columbia Southern University, 14 certifications from TCFP, including Instructor 3 and Officer 4, and is a Georgia Smoke Diver.  Devin has been happily married for over 10 years and has two small children.

Lieutenant Orozco became a firefighter with the South Montgomery County Fire Department in 2014. He was promoted to Lieutenant over training in 2020, where he continues to serve the district.

Inspector Shawn Buehring was born and raised in Port Lavaca, Texas. He attended the fire academy at Austin Community College in Taylor Texas and graduated in 1994. After the academy, Shawn started his fire service career as a driver/operator at Port Lavaca Fire Department. January of 2011 Shawn moved to Spring Texas and became a firefighter at South Montgomery County Fire Department, where he spent his first 6 years as a firefighter. In 2017 Shawn transferred to the inspections division as a Fire Inspector where he continues to serve the district. Shawn is certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as an Advanced Fire Fighter, Driver/Operator, FLSE I & II, Advanced Fire Inspector, Incident Safety Officer, Instructor II, Officer I, Plans Examiner I, and an Intermediate Wildland Fire Fighter. Shawn is also certified in swiftwater rescue and is a licensed EMT-B. Shawn spends his spare time hanging out with family and friends, and designs custom furniture and cabinets.

Captain Thomas Varady has been an active member of the fire service for 20 years and has served the citizens of Montgomery County Emergency Services District #8 for the past 17 years.

He began his fire service career with Amherst Fire Department assisting with hydrant management for a high school class. In 2004 Varady moved to Texas and joined the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department. After a short stent there Varady returned to Ohio to obtain his Ohio State Firefighting Certification. Varady once again moved to Texas to join South Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department in 2006. While with SMCVFD Varady started as a volunteer, then earned a part time position and then full-time assignment on the B shift.

On April 1, 2009, the ESD took over the operations of the fire department, and Varady continued at the rank of Firefighter. As the department began rapidly growing Varady was first assigned to the B shift then A shift. Over the years Varady was eager to learn all aspects of the Fire service. He was promoted to Engineer operator in 2010. Varady was first assigned to an Engine Company until the new arrival of L11-4. Varady drove L11-4 for several years before moving from that station. In 2015 Varady was given an opportunity to move to the Inspections division. While in inspection Varady was promoted to Senior Fire Inspector then to Community Risk Reduction Officer. Varady currently holds the Rank as Captain with three inspectors that are assigned to him.

From an early age Caleb had an overwhelming interest in anything mechanical, which was the driving force that led him to attend Universal Technical Institute in Houston, Texas of which he graduated in 2006 and began his career in the field of Fire Apparatus service and repair. In 2009, Caleb organized a small, personally owned business specializing in Fire and Emergency Vehicle, and heavy equipment maintenance and repair.

Caleb holds numerous certifications for the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification commission (EVTCC), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), many other manufacturer specific Certifications related to Fire Apparatus, an associate degree, and is continually advancing his passion for knowledge in order to keep up with the technology and innovation associated with the of the automotive, mechanical, and electrical industries of the 21^st century.

Caleb began his employment with MCESD #8 on October 10, 2011. With his trade experience and a degree in the diesel/industrial industry, he accepted an employment offer and was tasked with implementation of a Fleet Maintenance Division for the Department. Shortly after the establishment of the Fleet Maintenance Division, the continual growth of the Department warranted expansion of the division to include Facilities Maintenance as well. Caleb assumed the role of the Maintenance Director. While maintaining his certifications and skill as a Diesel/industrial technician, as the division Head for Maintenance Caleb also accommodates responsibilities that include; project management, budgeting, purchasing accountability, consultation with Fire Administration on department fleet vehicle and facilities additions/development/advancement, the accountability of all aspects of the Maintenance Division, supervision of technicians, and ensuring that the SMCFD Fleet and Facilities are maintained to a degree that meets or exceeds the applicable NFPA standards.

Caleb remains passionate about the industry and is continually seeking new avenues to improve maintenance and efficiency and looks forward to assisting with the development and maintenance of the Fleet and Facilities of Montgomery County ESD #8 for many years to come.

Trey was born and raised in Alexandria Louisiana. He began pursuing a career in the commercial vehicle maintenance and repair industry after graduating high school and enrolled in Universal Technical Institute. He successfully completed the Diesel/Industrial program and the Cummins Engine manufacturer training.

Trey was recruited by Montgomery County ESD #8 from UTI after graduation. Following acceptance of the job offer, he began his employment with ESD #8 on January 4, 2016, where he filled the role of an Emergency Vehicle Technician. Trey has developed and continues to expand his knowledge of diagnostics, maintenance, and repair of fire apparatus emergency vehicles and equipment. Trey has a degree in the Diesel/Industrial field and holds numerous certifications for the Emergency Vehicle Certification commission (EVTCC).

Daily, Trey is responsible for the receiving of vehicle related concerns from operation personal, scheduling of maintenance and repairs, maintenance of inventory of fleet maintenance, diagnostics, maintenance, and repair of all vehicles and rolling stock of ESD #8, maintenance recording, and NFPA compliance testing and record recording. Trey also assists with the specification/inspection process of new/replacement apparatus and provides input for replacement of department vehicles.

Trey strives to provide the highest level of maintenance and repair services possible to the fleet of Montgomery County ESD #8 and looks forward to continuing this into the distant future.

Keven has always had a passion to work with his hands. From an early age Keven was always working or building something. After Keven graduated high school, he became a volunteer firefighter at a local Fire Department. Keven started his career working in the Facilities Maintenance industry in 2006. In 2012, he moved to Texas and continued to advance in both fields of interest.

Keven began his employment with Montgomery County ESD #8 July 23, 2018. With over 17 years of experience in the facilities maintenance industry Keven has brought a wide range of knowledge to the department. Keven is a certified and state licensed HVAC repair technician, and holds numerous other certifications in appliance repair, critical facilities equipment, and facilities maintenance.

Keven has established a preventive maintenance program for critical equipment which has effectively minimized the down time on a wide range of equipment. Keven’s day-today responsibilities include management and/or facilitation of all facility repairs, upgrades, and remodels for, administration, training facilities, and 6 fully staffed Fire Stations. Keven also maintains building code compliance, fire/safety regulations, and ensures that NFPA standards are met or exceeded for the facilities of ESD #8.

Prior to Keven’s Employment with MCESD #8, most of these tasks were completed by outside vendors and contractors. Keven now performs over 90% of these tasks in-house, which substantially decreases the financial burden associated with facilities maintenance. Any remaining fraction of repairs or maintenance that are not feasible to complete in-house, Keven coordinates with outside contractors and vendors to make sure that all projects are completed in a timely and cost-effective manner. Keven helps to build and maintain a facilities maintenance budget to accommodate necessary expenses and operates within the confines of his budget throughout the year.

Keven continues to expand his knowledge by obtaining certifications and maintaining his licenses. Keven stays up to date with new technology and periodically attends Fire Facilities Conferences related to the facility maintenance industry. His passion for the department and the work he put into his job has made him a key asset for Montgomery County ESD #8.

Felix Smith began his fire service career as an FF-EMT in 1998 with the Westlake VFD near Katy, Texas. From there he served with several other 911 and private sector agencies in the Houston area ranging from full time EMS to safety and health management. Felix continued to volunteer with Katy area Fire Departments serving in all aspects of the organizations from PPE and Equipment acquisition to the Captain rank and many other duties. In 2012 Felix began working for the Cypress Creek FD as a FF and then held the position of Logistics Captain for many years and now works there part-time as a FF.

In January of 2011 Felix began with Montgomery County ESD #8 as a fire fighter and was promoted to Engineer Operator withing 3 years and then promoted to LT in the Safety Officer role in 2016. Felix’s most recent position in operations was LT of E11-2. Felix was appointed the Support Services Director position in October of 2023 and is tasked with managing the daily operations of the Support Service’s Division.

Natalie is a Houston transplant from Idaho. In 1997 she became interested in the fire service serving as a trainee with Cloverleaf Volunteer fire department whilst attending her senior year of high school. After graduation she relocated to New Caney where she volunteered as a trainee with Cloverleaf Volunteer fire department, finally settling in at the Porter Fire Department. In 2005 she obtained her Fire Fighter certification as the department transitioned into a career paid department and went on to become the first paid female fire fighter in the department. That certification led her to being the first paid female Engine/Aerial operator and hold various other certifications that were offered throughout the years. With that knowledge and experience, her position with the South Montgomery County Fire Department has her working behind the scenes supporting the next generation firefighters.

Dr. Galen K. Cooper serves as the Senior Pastor at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Oak Ridge North and Chaplain for Montgomery County Emergency Services District #8. Prior to his calling to serve in the ministry 21 years ago, Chaplain Cooper worked with MCI Telecommunications for 12 years after serving his country. This third-generation member of the United States Armed Forces proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1987-1995 as an HM-8404 FMF Hospital Corpsman attached to the United States Marine Corps.

Chaplain Cooper completed an Associate in Arts at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, in 1987. Thereafter, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas (1995) and a Master of Divinity in Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas (2009). In 2017, he earned a Master of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching in 2018 — both from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. Clearly, our Chaplain believes in lifelong learning.

Giving back to his community is very important to Chaplain Cooper. He contributes his time and talents to several community organizations and has traveled to Belize, Cuba, Mexico, and the United Kingdom for mission projects. This passion led to him volunteering his time and expertise to serve as our chaplain in 2013.

In his downtime (not that he has much), he loves chasing down birdies at various golf courses in the area, carving the snow in Durango or Crested Butte, and cheering on the athletes during the Olympics. He is also a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. Galen is passionately dedicated to his family: his wife of 31 years, Lania; his daughter, MeKenzie; and her husband, Kris; and her sons, Zach, Brice, and Carson.