Types of Administrative Agencies, by Mode of Leadership Selection and Number of Leadership Positions
Number of Leadership Positions
    One Many (members)
Mode of
Selection
Election
Appointment
long description of table

These four leadership schemes simplify sometimes-complex agency leadership organization in Texas. Only a few agencies fill top leadership positions through the electoral process. The Governor with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate appoints the leaders of most agencies. In rare cases the Governor chooses indirectly from someone else's list. For example, the Governor appoints the Fire Fighters Pension Commissioner, with Senate consent, from a list of three to ten nominees submitted by the State Firemen's Association of Texas and the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters. Somewhat differently, the Governor appoints the Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner and members of various boards, committees, commissions, and councils under the HHS umbrella, but the Commissioner in turn appoints deputy commissioners to head major departments.

Source: TRAIL. (full source)