Ernie Rodriguez was named the ESD’s Executive Director in June 2025.   Rodriguez is a 40-year EMS and fire service professional.   He began his career in 1982 with the Corpus Christi Fire Department and served as the Texas Department of Health Assistant State EMS Director from 1991-1995.   He spent ten years in executive leadership at MedStar Fort Worth.   In 2021, Rodriguez retired from Austin-Travis County EMS after 15 years leading the organization.

Rodriguez has a strong reputation for developing strategic partnerships, data analysis and performance improvement.   He is known to be a thoughtful, servant leader.  “I thought I had hung up my stethoscope,” Rodriguez told the Commissioners.  “But the idea of helping the Commissioners and Dr. Abadi work with Acadian to build a cost effective, innovative EMS system that can keep pace with the explosive growth coming to Bastrop County motivated me to throw my name into consideration.”  

ESD President James “Scooter” Green said “Ernie brings enormous wisdom and experience to the system.  He is familiar with the regional health system.   He has managed both operations and clinical aspects of EMS.   His quality improvement background will enable us to understand the EMS performance and partner with Acadian to optimize the system.”

Rodriguez’s primary functions will be administration of the ESD’s business functions, relations with the ESD’s public safety partners and management of the ESD’s contract with Acadian EMS.