Media & Communications

Teresa Farfan joined the Texas Division of Emergency Management as a bilingual Media and Communications Officer. She has brought to the TDEM’s team her experience in public and media relations as well as in journalism.  She earned years of experience in public/media relations while working for several Texas state agencies. Prior to her work in government, she made a career as reporter, anchor and executive producer working for Hispanic media outlets at the local and national level.

Mrs. Farfan has a degree in Leadership and Business Administration from Texas A&M University, where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She also has an AA in Government.  She has earned a certificate of Communications Strategy from the University of Texas at Austin.

An award-winning journalist, Wes came to TDEM from Nexstar Media Group, where he served as a correspondent covering Texas. He was one of the few reporters stationed in Rockport when the eye of Hurricane Harvey passed over the Texas coast in 2017.

His work during Hurricane Harvey, which included uncovering price-gouging of hotels in the aftermath of the storm, was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy. He also worked on the ground during other disasters over the past several years. He was honored with a Lone Star Emmy for his work on an episode of KXAN-TV's weekly television program State of Texas.

Prior to moving to Austin, Wes was a reporter and anchor in Lubbock, where he was recognized by Lubbock Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 972 with a Texas State Association of Fire Fighters Merit Award for his reporting on fire fighter health. He has more than a decade of experience in television and video production. His work has appeared nationally. Wes graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Television & Broadcast Journalism.

Frank Hicks is a brand and visual designer based in Austin, Texas.

He joined the Texas Division of Emergency Management in 2022 and serves as the Multimedia Specialist and creative lead on the Media and Communications team.

He received his BS in Visualization with a focus in Graphic and Interactive Design from Texas A&M University in 2018 and has since designed and developed creative solutions and meaningful identities for government, start-ups, non-profits, and many individuals and small businesses.

In 2023, he was recognized by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) for his work in visual identity for the 2023 Texas Emergency Management Conference branding.

Aaron Alvarez is TDEM’s Advance Representative, working closely with the Media & Communications team and agency leadership to support public engagements and events across the state.

Aaron is a graduate of the inaugural Texas Emergency Management Academy, where he received his FEMA National Emergency Management Basic Academy Certificate of Completion as well as NREMT Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certification. The Academy provided him with over 1,400 hours of instruction, training, and knowledge in a variety of aspects of emergency management, including the fields of emergency preparedness, disaster response, recovery, and hazard mitigation.

After graduating high school and attending college, Aaron worked as a project manager for a general contracting company in Austin, TX. During his free time, he spent many hours volunteering for the local Fire Department and learning about Fire and Emergency Services.

Jordan Prokell is a video intern at the Texas Division of Emergency Management where she captures, edits and produces engaging video content to build a public presence and leverage the agency’s visual branding to communities across the state.

From disaster response to internal department needs, Jordan has an eye for capturing stories on film and creating video content that leaves a lasting impact on audiences.

Jordan is pursuing a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas where she is also a Creative Development Intern for Texas Athletics. She incorporates her technical skills, including proficiency in video editing software and an eye for color grading, to film sporting events, media days and documentaries. She is also a sought-after wedding videographer.

Nicolette graduated from Universidad Latina de Panamá with a degree in International Marketing & Advertising and has 5 years of experience as a Fraud Analyst for Meta Marketplace.

She is a driven, savvy, and resourceful executive assistant with a knack for multitasking and a talent for interacting with people. She is committed to providing exceptional support.

With her work ethic and proactive attitude, she has become an invaluable asset in ensuring the success and smooth functioning of the team. Nicolette works collaboratively with colleagues and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She maintains a high level of discretion and confidentiality by fostering trust and creating a secure working environment. In her free time, she enjoys reading self-improvement books, having an active lifestyle, and making memories with her loved ones.