Lena Wilson, MS, RD, SNS

Lena Wilson is the Assistant Commissioner for the Food and Nutrition Division at the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). She oversees all activities related to compliance with regulations for the 12 federal nutrition programs operated by the agency.

Lena, a registered dietitian, has more than 20 years of experience with federal nutrition programs. She often touts that she is one of the few people who have worked at the state and local level with every U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition assistance program including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This experience complements a background that includes 13 years as a director of school meal programs and allows a practical look at operations from differing perspectives to apply a common-sense approach for program oversight. Lena joined TDA in 2019 as the administrator for compliance. She relocated to Texas after serving seven years at the Colorado Department of Human Services as a division director responsible for SNAP, systems automation, and food distribution. She was appointed to Assistant Commissioner on August 1, 2021, by Commissioner Sid Miller. Lena earned her Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and a master’s degree in management from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She serves in numerous professional and social volunteer roles that allow her to support others. In her spare time, she enjoys travel and is a die-hard sports fan.

What areas of the business are responsible for? 
All oversight and administration for 12 of the 15 federal nutrition programs.

What do you bring to the role? 
More than 25 years of experience with federal programs that provide a foundation to strategically direct initiatives that support the operation of nutrition programs.

Any other memberships or affiliations?
“American Dietetic Association ACDA”

What do you do in your free time?
Sports, books, travel