Our Team

Each Member of Our Team Has Real-Life, Police Leadership and/or Fire Command Experience.  We Understand the Importance of Getting the Selection Process Right.  The First Time..

Our passion...

With over 38 years of serving Texas cities as a Police Chief, Fire Chief, Director of Public Safety, and Assistant City Manager, Bruce Ure of The Ure Consulting Group understands the absolute importance of selecting future police and fire leaders.  

The Ure Consulting Group has been actively providing entry level tests, assessment centers, and written promotional examinations for over 30 years.  

To date, more than 500 Texas police and fire command leaders have been promoted as a result of a process conducted by The Ure Consulting Group.

It began with...

Bruce Ure retired in 2012 as the Victoria (Texas) Assistant City Manager after being promoted from Chief of Police. Bruce Ure has managed both police and fire departments in a chief's capacity over his 38 year public safety career. Chief Ure joined Victoria Police Department from the Watauga Texas Department of Public Safety where he served as Director of Public Safety. Before that, Bruce spent time in both Watauga (Texas) and Heath (Texas) as Director of Public Safety where he managed police, fire and EMS divisions. Chief Ure began his career in 1979 with Missouri City, Texas as a public safety officer.  Chief Ure's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Western Illinois University; an Associates Degree from San Jacinto College, in Houston; a graduate of the distinguished Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland; as well as a graduate of the Leadership Command College at the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Institute of Texas (LEMIT).To date, more than 500 Texas police and fire command leaders have been promoted as a result of a process conducted by The Ure Consulting Group.  

 

Our Team

Tell us about your exam needs.

Contact our team today to discuss your police or fire department's entry level and promotional examination needs.

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Valarie Ure
Vice-President

Valarie Ure knows how to make big and small companies successful, especially in the role of Vice President of the Ure Consulting Group.  Her successful prior business experience includes a partnership in the Professional Insurance Agents in Victoria (TX), Director of the newly constructed Victoria Citizen's Medical Center Healthpex, Senior Vice President of First Victoria National Bank (now Prosperity Bank), and most recently a Senior Account Executive with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas in Austin.  Her past experience also includes being appointed as the first female Board Chairman of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  Her well rounded business experience and servant leadership style of leading provides the Ure Consulting Group with an incredible level of first-class customer service and extraordinary business savey that sets the Ure Consulting Group apart from its competitors.  In her spare time, Valarie cherishes family time and family get togethers especially with her four grandchildren, in addition to being a highly competitive member in local bowling leagues.

Taylor Ure
Director of Business Development

Taylor Ure has over 10 years of sales management experience in the private sector. His career focus is business development, management, and process improvement. He is a skilled, results-driven sales professional leader.  Taylor is a powerful force in the workplace and uses his positive attitude, commitment, and passion to provide a world-class customer experience. Throughout his career, Taylor has proven his customer service and leadership skills by partnering with hundreds of satisfied customers.  Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Houston in Applied Arts & Sciences with a focus on Enterprise Leadership.

Gary Brye
Senior Associate

Gary Brye's career in law enforcement spans over three decades prior to his retirement as Police Chief in Texas.  His career has encompassed administration, policy development, supervision, personnel practices, patrol functions, investigations, as well as the management, implementation, and participation in law enforcement accreditation. 

He has researched & authorized a Manuel that is utilized in the development and administration of validated Assessment Centers.  

Gary's education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a  Master’s degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice Administration.

Gary's former professional affiliations include:

  • Former President of the Houston Area Police Chiefs Association (formerly Harris County Chiefs of Police Association)
  • Former Legislative Liaison with the Texas Police Chiefs Association.
  • Former Board member for the University of Houston Downtown Criminal Justice Training Center
  • Former Board member for the Coalition of Behavioral Health Services.
Kelly Shannon
Director of Marketing

Kelly Shannon is a marketing and social media guru and graphic designer with over 7 years of experience. She brings a fresh, clean perspective and continues to scope out new marketing ideas and adapts to the constant change in social media.  Kelly’s career focus specializes in graphic design, photography, writing, content creation, advertising, fundraising, and event planning. She is best known for her creativity, intuitive and innovative thinking, and positive energy. 

Kelly also runs her own Social Media Management (SMM) business, KR Media, where she shares tips for followers, partners with fellow SMMs, and offers her services to other local businesses.  Kelly plans to better market the business by posting industry-related content, expanding social media reach, interacting, and engaging with customers, clients, donors, and volunteers to maximize the presence in the community.