My Kerr County roots run deep, my grandfather purchased land on Hunt’s Southfork in 1913. I spent holidays and summers in Hunt before becoming a full-time resident in 2020. My family operated a Camp for 13 years, so I understand what the camps mean to Kerr County and to the campers who attend them. I understand the immediate and lingering impact of July 4th. I assisted with rescue efforts and cleanup, provided immediate lodging to rescues and long-term lodging to a displaced family. I also am in the process of flash flood cleanup on my family’s Kerr County ranch.
I recently retired from a 40-year career in telecommunications and technology where I managed a plethora of large projects and implementations with budgets of up to $68M. These projects included municipal fiber optic rings, data centers, and radio-frequency identification (RFID). Some of the clients I helped to bring technology- enabled solutions to included Amazon, Google, McClane Trucking, Kaiser Healthcare and other Fortune 500 companies.
Considering the impact of the recent flash flood, the budgetary requirements are still unknown. It is imperative that Kerr County quickly purchase and implement technology to ensure the physical safety and well- being of its citizens and visitors. The cost of providing this service is still undetermined.
To help guide the purchase and implementation of technology that enables advance notice and real-time monitoring of weather events. To ensure that communications and alerting systems used by all agencies serving the county communicate seamlessly. To work with internet providers to confirm that there are options for connectivity in rural areas of the county.
My 40 years of experience working with cutting-edge communication and technology solutions will enable me to serve the commissioners court as a subject matter expert in the service delivery of technology systems. I will be particularly helpful in preparing the scope of work, vetting qualified resources, negotiating, purchasing, and implementing the technological solutions needed to safeguard our county’s citizens and visitors.
With 30 years of teaching and coaching experience, with 10 years as an athletic director, I have spent most of my life leading people, solving problems, and managing programs, staff and budgets. For nearly three decades, I have lived and worked in Kerr County (Ingram and Center Point) and understand our families, values and needs. I will bring accountability, common sense and conservative principles to our local government. I am a committed Republican who will keep our county red and work every day to serve the people and protect our way of life.
For 10 years as athletic director, I successfully managed a complex, million dollar system of budgets that operated very much like a small county. I was responsible for 11 different sports, each having different financial needs. I handled baseball, softball, and football maintenance, transportation, logistics, paying officials, gatekeepers, stats workers, purchase orders and vendor quotes. I coordinated with many department leaders, each with their own priorities. I have a great deal of experience overseeing large, layered budgets while ensuring accountability and transparency. I understand how to stretch taxpayer dollars.
I believe each office and department would like to see larger budgets for improved equipment, to hire qualified employees, and to better meet the needs of our citizens. For example, Road and Bridge is currently understaffed by eight positions and that impacts safety and services. However, we have a responsibility to protect taxpayers and keep our county tax rate as low as possible. The priority must be smart spending, strong oversight, and finding efficiencies without hurting essential services or burdening families. With careful planning and conservative financial management, we can strengthen county services while respecting the people who fund them.
My priorities are clear. First, we must support a strong sheriff’s office and VFD’s by ensuring that they have the resources, staffing, training and equipment needed to keep families safe. Second, water conservation is critical. We must protect our precious water resources and establish responsible guidelines. Third, I will stand firm against BESS projects and outside LLC’s that threaten our land, environment and way of life. Finally, I will stay committed to the recovery and rebuilding of Kerr County due to the July 4th flooding, so that our community continues to grow strong.
As county commissioner, my priorities are firmly grounded in the responsibilities of the Texas Constitution. Supporting a strong sheriff’s office and VFD’s aligns with the constitutional charge to protect public safety and ensure peace and order. Water conservation reflects our duty to preserve essential public resources for the welfare of present and future Texans. Standing against BESS honors our responsibility to safeguard property, environment and quality of life. Continuing to rebuild Precinct 4 fulfills our constitutional obligation to maintain county infrastructure and serve residents effectively.
