About Us

Depository Administrator

Tom Smelker, Administrator, Texas Bullion Depository

Tom Smelker is a 30-year veteran of the Texas Comptroller’s office, most recently serving as the agency’s director of Treasury Operations, responsible for the day-to-day management of the bank accounts and revenues used to fund the $128 billion annual enterprise of state government. Treasury Operations processes an average of more than $500 million in deposits each day and pays more than 3 million state warrants annually.


Smelker, a graduate of the University of Texas, holds the professional certification of Certified Cash Manager. He is a past president of the Austin Association for Financial Professionals and current member of the International Precious Metals Institute.


The Office of the Depository Administrator may be reached by calling or emailing using the information listed below.


+1 (512) 463-1698
+1 (800) 531-4441 ext. 31698

tom.smelker@cpa.texas.gov

A message from the Texas Bullion Depository SM operator, Lone Star Tangible Assets

Lone Star Tangible Assets and its operating companies have been a driving force for the creation of a better client experience in the precious metals industry. Although the markets for physical precious metals are generally unregulated, Lone Star Tangible Assets has required its operating companies to conduct business as if they were regulated - working to set a higher standard of accountability for all industry participants. Lone Star Tangible Assets and the Comptroller of Public Accounts will work together to ensure transparency and accountability are integrated into the core of operations at the Texas Bullion Depository.


Lone Star Tangible Assets is the parent company of established precious metals companies the United States Gold Bureau and WholesaleCoinsDirect.com.


Click on the link below to learn more about Lone Star Tangible Assets.


Learn More About Lone Star Tangible Asets

Acting Texas Comptroller - Kelly Hancock

Kelly Hancock assumed the duties of Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on July 1, 2025. As the state’s chief financial officer, the Comptroller oversees the state treasury, collects taxes, and provides accurate revenue estimates to guide the biennial budgeting process. The office also manages a broad range of initiatives, including Texas’ new education savings account program, broadband expansion, opioid abatement funding, unclaimed property, rural law enforcement grants, economic development, transparency in government spending, and support for border security efforts through management of key appropriations.

A strong advocate for the conservative values of limited government and lower taxes, Kelly believes the Comptroller’s office plays a critical role in sustaining Texas’ economic success by safeguarding tax dollars, implementing forward-thinking initiatives, and ensuring transparency in state spending. He draws on a long history of public service to fulfill this statewide role and serve every Texas taxpayer.

Kelly served in the Texas Legislature for nearly 20 years, first in the House and then in the Senate, where he helped shape sound financial policy and authored conservative state spending cap legislation.



A Fort Worth native and founding owner/operator of a respected family business, Kelly’s commitment to public service was sparked by fatherhood. He served 13 years on his local school board, driven by a desire to ensure a quality education for his own kids and others in the community.

Over the course of his legislative career, Kelly spent a decade on the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee and five years on the Legislative Budget Board, gaining deep experience in setting state fiscal priorities. He also chaired several key legislative committees; as chair of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, he championed job growth and worked to cut government red tape, passing the largest occupational licensing deregulation measure in Texas history.

Kelly has passed more than 300 pieces of legislation focused on taxpayer protection, fiscal responsibility, energy independence, transportation innovation, border security, healthcare price transparency, veterans’ benefits, and more. His consumer protection work includes model legislation to prevent surprise medical billing.

He has also raised awareness about the life-saving importance of organ donation—a cause made personal by his quiet, decades-long battle with a rare kidney disease. He ultimately received a transplant from a living donor: his son-in-law.

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University. He and his wife, Robin, have three children and are proud grandparents to six young Texans.

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