Rolando Pablos

Rolando Burgoa Pablos (born 1967) is an American executive, attorney, and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Texas. He was sworn in as Secretary of State of Texas on January 5, 2017.

Born in Sonora, Mexico, Pablos grew up in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and El Paso, Texas. Pablos graduated from Cathedral High School in El Paso.

After graduating from St. Mary's University with a B.A. in Biology in 1992, Pablos earned an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Master's in Hospitality Management from the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1998.

Pablos was described as the "driving force" behind the creation of the Hilton College's San Antonio campus, where he served as an adjunct lecturer of hospitality law.

Pablos served as Texas Public Utility Commissioner and then chairman of the Texas Racing Commission. He was nominated to serve as Texas Secretary of State by Republican Governor Greg Abbott and confirmed by the Texas Senate on February 14, 2017.

In March 2017, Pablos made his first international diplomatic mission to Mexico City, where he affirmed the strong economic relationship between Texas and Mexico. After the trip, Pablos said he was "highly encouraged" by his meetings and discussions with both private and public sector officials, including representatives from SENER, Mexico's energy ministry.

Pablos co-founded Uriel Americas and served as chief executive officer of the Borderplex Alliance, a bi-national economic developmental corporation.