On November 26, the Texas Racing Commission announced that it had hired Tom Neely to act as the agency’s Director of Enforcement. Neely's knowledge of racing, coupled with his seven years management experience as Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division of the La Porte Police Department, gives him an excellent perspective for this position.

Neely joined the TRC as an Investigator in 1997 following a 25-year career with the La Porte Police Department. Starting as a patrol officer in 1975, he was promoted to detective after only two years. His progression upward continued, culminating in serving as a division commander for the La Porte Police Department.

Neely is certified as a Master Police Officer through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. He is a member of the Texas Narcotics Officers Association, the Forgery Investigators Association, the Professional Police Investigators Association, Texas Law Enforcement Intelligence Units Association, and the Texas Police Association.

A member of the security team for the 1996 centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Neely also served on the San Jacinto College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, the La Porte-Bayshore Visions 2000 Transportation Committee, the La Porte-Bayshore Veteran Memorial Committee, and as a security director for La Porte High School Project Graduation.

Neely and the Enforcement staff, as a part of the Executive Division, report to Texas Racing Commission Executive Secretary Paula Flowerday.