Now more than ever, Texas House District 121 needs a representative with strong background qualifications and experience, deep history in our community, demonstrated common-sense decision making and leadership, and a record of accomplishment and success in working with others to effectively address issues and problems to simply get things done. We need a representative who has gained the broad-based support and confidence from the community. I have that important breadth and depth.
My wife, Peggy, and I have lived in District 121 for more than 45 years. We raised our two sons here and now have five wonderful grandchildren, all living in the district. I have been actively engaged in our community and know it well.
I am a well-established and experienced attorney, with particular emphasis on business and healthcare. I believe in free market principles, the protection of our constitutional freedoms, and limited government.
I have been actively involved in education and the development of our youth – our future. Whether teaching Sunday school, serving on the vestry, and chairing children’s education at our church; coaching youth sports; serving as sponsor of Fellowship of Christian Athletes; helping found and develop the San Antonio All-Star football game from which so many of our local student-athletes received college opportunities otherwise unavailable to them; supporting local foundations and charitable organizations; or participating in our children’s schools, including as a member of Alamo Heights Independent School District’s Early Childhood Task Force and Legislative Committee, I have been dedicated to improving lives and our community.
I served 12 years on the Alamo Heights school board, including three terms as president, and am very proud of the accomplishments made for the district and our children’s education and development. I have been actively engaged in school finance, and I understand its complexities and the critical need for reform. I served three years on the board of the Texas Association of School Boards and was appointed to its Special Committee on Revenue and Funding. I also served on its Legislative Committee, where, in addition to my efforts on the school board, I’ve spent considerable time at the Capitol on school finance issues. I bring hands-on knowledge and experience that will provide a valuable perspective toward necessary solutions.
I am passionate about the safety, wellness, and personal development of all of our children. I am a strong proponent of strengthening vocational education and character education as important parts of our public school curriculum and workforce development. We need to provide a meaningful path for each of our children to be proud and productive members of society, while also recognizing our important workforce needs. I recently chaired the Alamo Heights Task Force on Character Education, Wellness, and Digital Citizenship, stemming from a tragic suicide as a result of bullying activities. I believe strongly that we all benefit if we instill in our children how to interact with one another, how to treat one another, how we care for one another, the importance of honesty and integrity or, all told, good citizenship.
At the end of last year, I concluded eight years on the board of VIA Metropolitan Transit (including the last two as vice chairman), where I gained critical knowledge and understanding of our community’s transportation infrastructure needs. As San Antonio grows by an estimated 1 million people over the next 20 years, my knowledge of transportation infrastructure will be important in ensuring our greater San Antonio area receives the necessary attention to enhance mobility and keep up with impending growth.
As I have visited constituents throughout the district, their most pressing issue and concern is property taxes. The financial burden and personal stress caused by ever-rising property taxes is devastating and must not continue. As I have repeatedly stated, there is a clear nexus between property taxes and school finance. I have the extensive background knowledge and experience to effectively pursue necessary reform and relief on both matters.
Recognized experience and results, demonstrated ability to build consensus, experience in business, education, healthcare, and transportation, and the resulting broad-based confidence and support earned from those fields, as well as support from fire and police groups, construction, real estate, seniors, and other local and statewide groups and interests lends to my qualifications and abilities to effectively represent our district and the greater community.
I invite you to visit my website for additional information.
