Women's Protective Services Names Jimmy Burns Director

Burns, who has 32 years in public education, takes over the Lubbock nonprofit's top job effective October 15, 2026.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in People

Women's Protective Services Names Jimmy Burns Director

Women's Protective Services of Lubbock has named Jimmy Burns as its executive director, effective October 15, 2026. Burns previously served seven months as interim executive director before the permanent appointment.

Why it matters

The appointment gives the Lubbock-based nonprofit a permanent leader after a period of interim leadership. The organization serves Lubbock County and 11 surrounding South Plains counties, so the leadership change affects a wide regional service area.

Burns brings 32 years of public education experience, including 11 years as a superintendent, and served seven months as interim executive director before his permanent appointment. The source does not detail how the organization's operating figures may change under new leadership.

The players

Jimmy Burns

Jimmy Burns is a longtime educator with 32 years in public education, including 11 years as a superintendent, who holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University.

Women's Protective Services of Lubbock

Women's Protective Services of Lubbock is a nonprofit providing emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, and legal advocacy to survivors across Lubbock County and 11 surrounding South Plains counties.

The details

Women's Protective Services announced that Jimmy Burns will serve as its executive director, with the appointment taking effect October 15, 2026. Burns holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University, and the organization offers emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, and programs for parents and children.

Burns began serving as interim executive director seven months before the permanent appointment announcement.
Burns's permanent appointment takes effect October 15, 2026.

Market Landscape

The appointment places an experienced public-education leader at the helm of Women's Protective Services, which serves Lubbock County and 11 surrounding South Plains counties. The move keeps the organization's regional service footprint intact while bringing a permanent executive into the role after seven months of interim leadership.

Clients and community members who rely on Women's Protective Services for shelter, counseling, or legal advocacy will be served under a new permanent director starting October 15, 2026. The source does not indicate any change to service availability or how residents access these programs.

The takeaway

Stable executive leadership can help a regional nonprofit maintain consistent services across a wide area. Residents in Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains counties should watch for continuity in the programs they already use.