Matthew Gonzales, MHA, LSSGB
Secretary
Matthew Gonzales is the Director of Hays County Health Department where he leads public health services for nearly 300,000 residents and oversees programs in clinical care, behavioral health, epidemiology, community health, and emergency preparedness. Guided by the values of Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, Matthew is a servant leader focused on empowering teams and strengthening local health systems so communities can rely on their health department in times of need.
He has modernized the county’s public health infrastructure by establishing the County's first Public Health Advisory Board, implementing Behavioral Health 360, strengthening workforce readiness, expanding community outreach, and directing county response to major public health events. Matthew’s long-term vision is for public health to have a seat at every table where community well-being is shaped, championing a One Health approach that aligns human, environmental, and social systems.
He holds an MHA and BPA from Texas State University, is the 2024 Allen G. Herkimer Jr. Alumni of the Year and is a published author on behavioral health technology in JMIR Mental Health.