Campaign Phone
817-975-9003
Occupation
Elected Officer/District Clerk
University of Dallas 1961-1963; University of North Texas 1964-1965; 863 hours of continuing education specifically designed for District Clerk and required by law - University of Texas Law School, V.G. Young Institute (Texas A&M), Texas District Court Alliance
30 years of business experience (22 years-The Wilder Company Commercial Real Estate). 32 years as the District Clerk (see education above). Extensive experience in Government; Board of Directors- Texas District Court Alliance, Formerly Tarrant County Convention Center Board, Tarrant County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee (current), Real Estate Center (A&M) 1987-1994 Appointed by governor by Board of Directors.
Renovate Justice Center:
Approved by Commissioners Court 7/14/26. District Clerk will move deputies from floors 5, 6, 7, and 8 to the 3rd floor reducing floor space occupied to less than total currently occupied. The change will create better communication and management oversight and strengthen security. DC has three other offices on one floor that has resulted in all of the above listed benefits to taxpayers and operational efficiency.
While I and my deputies can't give legal advice, we use emails (dclerk@tarrantcounty.com), phones and mail exclusively, plus Facebook (see above).
Complete replacement of Court Case Management System (JIMS): Criminal Section finished 3 years ago. Approach: Civil, Family, Juvenile and Accounting began 6/2025 funded by District Clerk 216 Fund (Not General Fund money). The remainder was funded 7/14/26 again from the 216 Fund (Not General Fund money) and approved by Commissioners Court. Completion of project expected in early 2028. It will improve efficiency and security.
Unfunded mandates from legislature and Supreme Court. I will be working on this if re-elected with our County Legislative Director (first draft of list delivered to him already).
Occupation
Public Affairs
I am a former Army officer who served seven years on active duty, including one combat and one operational deployment. I have a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of San Diego. I have a Masters of Professional Studies degree from Penn State University in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems.
I have work history from my time on active duty and as a defense contractor in dealing with compliance, as well as in leading large organizations. Compliance and leadership are essentially the core of what the District Clerk does, as he must apply Texas law to court management processes, and lead an office of over 100 individuals.
I plan to immediately work with other stakeholders to fix the disastrous court management software system. This software system is essential to basically every court function in the county, and yet has been plagued by decades of cost and time overruns, all while being overseen by my opponent.
Stop charging the public unnecessary and possibly illegal fees to see court documents that are essential to cases. Provide public-facing dashboards that help track court performance and efficiency and allow the public to see inside the black box that is the county judiciary, and hold accountable those bogging down the system and denying timely justice.
I will work with the Defense Bar, DA's office, judges, County Clerk, and other stakeholders to fix the many problems plaguing these software platforms. The incumbent has had nearly two decades to involve himself and fix these issues, and has failed. A new approach is called for.
The District Clerk needs to establish a 24/7 365 presence at all magistration hearings, as is required by Texas law. This will require a shift of personnel responsibilities and many management functions. Additionally, the District Clerk needs to reassert his mandate over the jury summons process, as required by Texas law. Currently, this is farmed out to an unelected county employee. This is unacceptable as the public should be able to hold accountable an elected official on this function.
