Seth W. Christensen, a crisis communications professional and public affairs and policy expert, currently serves as an Assistant Agency Director and the Chief of Media, Communications, and Preparedness at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). In this pivotal role, Seth reports to Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd and serves as a key member of the agency’s executive leadership team. He oversees critical functions within the agency, including media and communications strategy, statewide emergency preparedness planning and exercising, and coordination of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center’s joint information center.
Throughout his time in state government, Seth has held key executive-level roles ensuring the State of Texas has prepared for, responded to, and recovered from numerous local and state-level disasters, including 29 presidentially declared disasters and Fire Management Assistance Grants. Seth regularly engages with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 6 leadership to ensure the needs of Texans are addressed through all stages of emergency management.
Before joining TDEM in September 2019, Seth served as Chief of Staff at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. There, he played a crucial role in advancing juvenile justice reform through the implementation of “The Texas Model,” a trauma-informed approach aimed at improving youth outcomes and public safety.
From 2015 to 2018, Seth served as a Policy Advisor in the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. His work encompassed a wide range of policy areas, including emergency management, public safety, homeland security, juvenile justice, and the judiciary. Notably, he served as the Governor’s liaison to TDEM, contributing significantly to the coordination of the state’s response and recovery efforts for seven presidentially declared disasters, including the historic Hurricane Harvey.
A native of Brenham, Texas, Seth earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University. He has been a licensed attorney with the State Bar of Texas since 2013.
Wes Rapaport is the Section Chief for Media & Communications at the Texas Division of Emergency Management. He joined TDEM in 2021 as a Media & Communications Officer.
An award-winning journalist, Wes came to TDEM from Nexstar Media Group, where he served as a correspondent covering Texas. He was one of the few reporters stationed in Rockport when the eye of Hurricane Harvey passed over the Texas coast in 2017.
His work during Hurricane Harvey, which included uncovering price-gouging of hotels in the aftermath of the storm, was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy. He also worked on the ground during other disasters over the past several years. He was honored with a Lone Star Emmy for his work on an episode of KXAN-TV's weekly television program State of Texas.
Prior to moving to Austin, Wes was a reporter and anchor in Lubbock, where he was recognized by Lubbock Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 972 with a Texas State Association of Fire Fighters Merit Award for his reporting on fire fighter health. He has more than a decade of experience in television and video production. His work has appeared internationally. Wes graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Television & Broadcast Journalism.
Ben Gurnett is a Media & Communications Officer at the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Ben came to TDEM from Los Angeles County’s Office of Emergency Management, where he most recently served as the Public Information and Communications Program Manager.
In addition to fulfilling public information and communications capacities, he has held other roles during all hazard events within Los Angeles County, including support for Planning, Logistics, Operations, and coordination of joint information centers.
Ben graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, and from San Diego State University with a Master of Science in Homeland Security.
Blake Mathews joined the Texas Division of Emergency Management as a Media and Communications Officer in October 2024.
Prior to his time at TDEM, Blake spent 17 years as a broadcast meteorologist for different media outlets throughout Texas including Houston, Dallas, and Austin, as well as a five year stint in Jacksonville, Florida.
Having covered disasters of all sizes across Texas during his time as a meteorologist, it is Blake's work during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that sticks with him the most.
Texan to his core, Blake is a published author and two-time Emmy-nominated meteorologist.
Blake graduated from the Broadcast Meteorology program at Mississippi State University.
Rudy Nieves joined the Texas Division of Emergency Management as a Bilingual Media and Communications Officer in November 2024.
An accomplished reporter dedicated to serving the Spanish-speaking community, he brings to TDEM a wealth of experience in community reporting and coverage of natural disasters.
Before his current role, Rudy served as a reporter at Telemundo39 in Dallas/Fort Worth, where he covered breaking news affecting the Hispanic community and highlighted everyday challenges faced by minorities. His commitment to impactful storytelling extends to his previous position at Telemundo Utah, where he reported from 2019 until early 2021. Additionally, Rudy has gained national experience through several internships in Washington D.C., focusing on significant news related to the White House.
Rudy’s leadership skills were showcased when he moderated the first gubernatorial debate organized by the youth of Puerto Rico, broadcast by Telemundo Puerto Rico. He also played a vital role in his home island, where he led the student council at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Santurce, P.R.
Following Hurricane Maria, Rudy spearheaded volunteer efforts that collected over 15,000 units of food for animals, providing much-needed aid to abandoned pets across the island.
Throughout his career, Rudy has been recognized with multiple Emmy Awards for excellence in television journalism, particularly for his work on breaking news and criminal investigations.
Enrique Dueñas-Aguilar is a Bilingual Media and Communications Officer at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). He came to TDEM in November 2024 from El Paso, Texas, where he served as the Public Affairs Officer for the El Paso Fire Department and the El Paso Office of Emergency Management.
Enrique has managed government communications for 15 years, mainly in emergency and crisis communications, with incidents ranging from fires and special rescues, to mass casualty incidents and mass migration, as well as natural disasters in the West Texas region and Central Mexico. Additionally, he has served as the Spanish translator at press conferences for local elected officials and government leadership.
Enrique graduated from the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac, León, with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Public Affairs and from the Universidad Iberoamericana, León, with a Master’s degree in Digital Media.
Jason Arana, Jr. is a dynamic graphic designer with a passion for creativity and innovation. As the eldest of seven siblings, Jason learned the value of responsibility and leadership from an early age. Hailing from Killeen, Texas, Jason's roots span across the United States, with family connections reaching Puerto Rico, Florida, and New York.
With over five years of experience in higher education marketing, Jason has honed his skills to become a versatile professional in the field. He has contributed significantly to the marketing efforts of Texas A&M-Central Texas, showcasing his expertise in various roles, including photographer, videographer, minor web developer, and marketing collateral specialist.
Jason's portfolio boasts a diverse range of projects, demonstrating his proficiency in crafting compelling visual narratives. From designing captivating magazines to developing immersive virtual reality tours. His ability to produce engaging promotional videos and his role in establishing enduring brand guidelines underscore his commitment to excellence and attention to detail.
Nate Purvis serves as TDEM’s Production Specialist. He joined the agency in March 2024.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and a minor in Interdisciplinary Film and Media Studies from East Texas Baptist University (ETBU). While at ETBU, he worked in Athletic Communications as videographer/photographer covering sporting events and athletes at the university. The Athletic Communications department received awards for excellence in Sports Information by the American Southwest Conference the last two years he worked there.
In 2022, Nate was inducted into the ETBU chapter of the National Communication Association Honor Society Lambda Pi Eta. In 2023, Nate was chosen by ETBU administrators to be the videographer/photographer for the University Choir/Band tour to Israel. In the summer of 2023, Nate served as the Media Coordinator for the Lakeview Conference Center creating photographic content and daily/weekly recap videos of the summer camp participants for commercial and marketing use.
Nate’s photography has been published and earned multiple awards during his career. He was commissioned by the City of Marshall, ETBU and Harrison County Emergency Services District #3 to photograph, record and create a publicity video for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in 2022.
In 2018, he was the recipient of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Nate earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2016. He was the recipient of the City of Marshall’s Outstanding Citizen award and was recognized by the state and federal governments for his Eagle Scout achievement and involvement in Boy Scouts of America.
Nate is a former high school Olympic archer and National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) archer for 7 years, earning tickets to compete in three NASP State tournaments and the National and Open World Championship tournament in 2019. He also participated in French Foil Fencing and competed in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) contests in photography, drawing, and graphic design earning numerous awards.
When he is not working, Nate enjoys playing video games with family and friends, shopping antique and thrift stores, creative photography, traveling, and spending time with his nieces and nephew.
Aaron Alvarez is Executive Aide, working closely with the Media, Communications, and Preparedness teams and agency leadership to support public engagements and events across the state. He originally joined the team as Advance Representative.
Aaron is a graduate of the inaugural Texas Emergency Management Academy, where he received his FEMA National Emergency Management Basic Academy Certificate of Completion as well as NREMT Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certification. The Academy provided him with over 1,400 hours of instruction, training, and knowledge in a variety of aspects of emergency management, including the fields of emergency preparedness, disaster response, recovery, and hazard mitigation.
After graduating high school and attending college, Aaron worked as a project manager for a general contracting company in Austin, TX. During his free time, he spent many hours volunteering for the local Fire Department and learning about Fire and Emergency Services.
Grayson Nicchio serves as Press Assistant for the TDEM Media & Communications team.
He was born and raised in Austin, Texas, although much of his family is from Louisiana. After graduating from Bowie High School, he began attending Texas A&M University in fall of 2021.
He is very involved in the College Station area as he often volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley and the Brazos Valley Food Bank.
He is also active in the Texas A&M community. He is a member of a men's professional development organization, participates in no less than 5 intramural teams every semester, and he loves to attend as many sports events as his schedule allows.
In his free time, Grayson likes to be active. He enjoys playing football, baseball, working out, playing video games, and spending time with his friends.
Are you prepared? Take time today to learn how to prepare yourself and your family before disaster strikes. TDEM works with local partners to support installation of storm shelters across Texas.
Visit the links below for additional information about safe rooms and storm shelters. Prepare today for a safer tomorrow!
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