Tom Waggoner is the Director of Fine Arts for the Texas Education Agency (TEA). His responsibilities at TEA include the administration of all curricular and instructional aspects of the state's public school art, dance, music, and theatre programs, grades K-12. Mr. Waggoner oversees the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts, which was established by TEA to support fine arts education in Texas schools. Mr. Waggoner is also a founding member of the national association, State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education.

Prior to his appointment at TEA, Mr. Waggoner served as Administrative Supervisor of Fine Arts for the Austin Independent School District (1991–2000). During his tenure as fine arts administrator for Austin ISD, he was one of the co-founders of the Austin Youth Orchestra program. He served as Director of Bands at The University of Mississippi in Oxford (1987–1991) and Associate Director of Bands at Texas State University in San Marcos (1981–1987).

Mr. Waggoner received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and completed post-graduate studies in Educational Administration at Texas State University, receiving his Mid-Management Certification. Upon completion of undergraduate studies in 1972, he was appointed as Director of Bands at William B. Travis High School in Austin ISD. Mr. Waggoner has conducted All-State, All-Region, and Honor Bands in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas and frequently serves as guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and speaker throughout the United States.

Mr. Waggoner was the recipient of the 2004 Founders Award from the Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc., the 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Texas Music Educators Association, and the 2005 Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association. He often writes articles that are published in regional and national journals and is affiliated with many professional arts organizations, including the Texas Art Education Association, Texas Dance Educators Association, Texas Educational Theatre Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Austin Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster Fraternity, and Mu Omicron Honorary Fraternity.