Lone Star Life: Images of Montgomery County

A Publication of
Montgomery County
PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXT BY
KIMBERLY SUTTON

Thank you for your interest in this HPNbooks publication. For more information about other HPNbooks publications, or
information about producing your own book with us, please visit www.hpnbooks.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXT BY KIMBERLY SUTTON
A PUBLICATION OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
HPNbooks
A division of Lammert Incorporated
San Antonio, Texas

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY FAMILY
TO MY HUSBAND, RICK, AND CHILDREN,
KAYLA, RACHAEL AND JOSIAH:
May all of your heart’s desires come to pass, too.
I love each one of you more than you can imagine.
TO MY MOTHER, LINDA:
Thank you for the creativity gene and for all your support
on this book project. Thank you for pushing me to succeed.
I love you.
TO MY DAD, RAY MORGAN:
Thank you for inspiring me with your own passion for
taking pictures and passing down the photography gene.
I love you and miss you.
First Edition
Copyright © 2017 HPNbooks
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.
All inquiries should be addressed to HPNbooks, 11535 Galm Road, Suite 101, San Antonio, Texas, 78254. Phone (800) 749-9790, www.hpnbooks.com.
ISBN: 978-1-944891-41-1
Library of Congress: 2017957752
Lone Star Life: Images of Montgomery County
photographer/author: Kimberly Sutton
designer: Glenda Tarazon Krouse
book cover design: Hallaron Media, The Woodlands
contributing writers for Montgomery County partners: Becca Nelson Sankey, Kimberly Sutton
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
2
HPNbooks
president: Ron Lammert
project manager: Curtis Courtney
administration: Donna M. Mata, Lori K. Smith, Melissa G. Quinn, Kristin T. Williamson
book sales: Joe Neely
production: Colin Hart, Evelyn Hart, Tim Lippard, Craig Mitchell, Tony Quinn, Christopher D. Sturdevant

Legacy Partners..........................................................................4
Contents
Introduction by Judge Craig Doyal..........................................5
Introduction by Kimberly Sutton .............................................6
Chapter 1 A Community Rich in Heritage .......................8
Chapter 2 A Community of Quality ................................20
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
A Community of Interests...............................40
A Community of Diverse Skills......................62
Chapter 5 A Community Positioned for the Future ....72
Montgomery County Partners ................................................82
Sponsors.................................................................................142
About the Photographer and Author...................................143
CONTENTS
3

LEGACY SPONSORS
Through their generous support, these companies helped to make this project possible.
Spirit of Texas Bank-Conroe
1836 Spirit of Texas Way (815 West Davis Street)
Conroe, Texas 77301
936-538-1000
www.sotb.com
Three locations in The Woodlands
1525 Lake Front Circle
16610 North Freeway
6886 Woodlands Parkway
And in Magnolia, Texas at 6910 FM 1488
Buckalew Chevrolet, LP
1100 1-45 South at Gladstell
Conroe, Texas 77304
936-756-5581
www.buckalewchevrolet.com
San Jacinto River Authority
1577 Dam Site Road
Conroe, Texas 77304
936-828-0285
www.sjra.net
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
4

East Montgomery County Improvement District
21575 U.S. Highway 59 North, Suite 200
New Caney, Texas 77357
281-354-4419
www.emctx.com
Southwestern Imaging
25275 Budde Road, Suite 5
Spring, Texas 77380
888-295-2367
www.swissnm.com
A Dean & Draper Company
The Woodlands Development Company
A Division of The Howard Hughes Corporation ®
Two Hughes Landing
1790 Hughes Landing Boulevard, Suite 600
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
281-719-6100
www.TheWoodlands.com
Soules Insurance Agency, LP
701 North San Jacinto Street
Conroe, Texas 77301
936-756-0671
www.soulesinsurance.com
LEGACY SPONSORS
5

Introduction by Judge Craig Doyal
Welcome to Montgomery County, the seventh-fastest
growing county in the nation and a thriving community
that has become a great place to raise families and run a
business or develop a career. From The Woodlands to
Willis to historic Montgomery and the waters of a sprawling
Lake Conroe, the Office of County Judge wants to
welcome you to a place where the phrase “quality of life”
has kept its meaning.
As a fourth generation Montgomery County resident, and
a husband, father and grandfather, it is as important to me
as it is to you to have a community where our children
are challenged to learn, encouraged to seek their dreams
and are supported with facilities and services that are
conducive to a safe and nourishing environment. If all of
us work together we can accomplish these goals.
Judge Craig Doyal
✩
Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal sits on the porch of his father’s homestead on Main Street in Conroe.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
6

Introduction by Kimberly Sutton
Montgomery County holds a unique place on the Texas
map—and in the hearts of the people who call it home—
the birthplace of the Lone State Flag. After winning approval
by a committee of six signers of the Texas Declaration of
Independence and then Congress, the flag was officially
designated in 1839, and since that time it has graced
flagpoles across the state of Texas. County residents are
proud of that fact.
Today, Montgomery County is a mixture of the past and
the present. Various state historical markers are spread
around from one side to the other for the historians,
and countless recreational attractions, annual festivals,
varied retail shops and restaurants are open for the
families who want something to do when not at school
or work. New businesses and corporations are settling in
and new housing developments are being built on the
outskirts of each city in the county to accommodate those
who are moving to Montgomery County each month.
For those who live in Montgomery County, we have the
best of both worlds…the city and the country life. One can
spend the day shopping at high-end boutiques or eating in
fine restaurants and be home within 15 to 30 minutes to
tend to their animals, whether it is cattle, horses or furry
canines and felines. Downtown Houston is only a 45-minute
drive to attend sports events, theatre and concerts, and
Galveston offers a quick weekend getaway at the beach.
When I first moved to Conroe in 1980, I had never seen
such tall, beautiful pines before, just what Captain Isaac
Conroe thought, too. As the founding father of Conroe,
the county seat of Montgomery County, he established his
first sawmill in 1881 where he cut, dried in wood-burning
kilns, processed and sold virgin pine timber, according to
the Texas Historical Association.
Many other sawmills started all over the county, where,
at its peak, logging brought in about $3 million each year
and employed around 4,000 workers, according to the
Montgomery County Genealogical Society.
In the years since Conroe established that first sawmill,
Montgomery County has grown from a fledgling population
of 10,154 to more than 540,000 people.
Over a year’s time, I traveled from the west side of
Montgomery to the east side of Splendora and New Caney
and took photos of the people, the sights and the countryside.
I traveled north of Willis to the county line and
down past The Woodlands. I went down country roads to
Magnolia and then traveled to the edge of the county line
to see the Lone Star Trail. Conroe and the people who live
there hold a special place in my heart; so many photos were
taken there, in the heart of Montgomery County. I took
thousands of photos, capturing every aspect of life in
Montgomery County, but not all could be used in this book.
Montgomery County is a great place to live and raise a
family. It is a place of great schools and teachers, various
talented and caring people, dedicated law enforcement
and first responders, and beautiful landscapes, whether
rural or urban, as you will see on the following pages of
this book.
The people of Montgomery County are friendly and will
make you feel right at home. I hope you enjoy looking at
the pages of this book.
With love,
Kimberly Sutton
www.kimberlymsutton.com
INTRODUCTION
7

chapter
1
A Community
Rich in Heritage
✩
Heading into the city of Montgomery, motorists on Highway 105 West are
greeted by this sign in the more rural part of Montgomery County.
A LONE S TAR H ERITAGE
Montgomery County is home to the birthplace of the Texas flag. In 1997, the Texas House of Representatives of the
75th Texas Legislature officially commemorated Montgomery County, Texas, as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag of Texas.
Dr. Charles B. Stewart designed the banner and the Seal of Texas in Montgomery, Texas, in 1839, according to historians.
Before that, Stewart attended the Texian Independence Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836, as a
delegate. He and the other delegates to the convention declared Texas independent from Mexico on March 2, 1836.
Stewart had served as the first Secretary of State of Texas, was an active member of the convention where he signed the
Texas Declaration of Independence and was a member of the committee that drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
8

BIRTHPLACE OF THE
LONE STAR FLAG
The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park,
located next to the Montgomery County Central Library,
showcases Montgomery County as the birthplace of the
Lone Star Flag with the flags that depict those that flew
during Texas’ fight for independence. A fourteen-foot bronze
known as The Texian, conceived and sculpted by artist
Craig Campobella, serves as the centerpiece. A bronze bust
dedicated to Dr. Charles B. Stewart, the Montgomery
County native credited with the design of the Lone Star
Flag, greets visitors at the park’s entrance.
✩
Top, left: A bust of Charles Stewart, the designer of the Lone Star Flag, was sculpted by Craig Campobella
and placed at the Lone Star Flag Park in Conroe, next to the Montgomery County Central Library.
Above: The Texian statue, sculpted by Craig Campobella, is located at the Lone Star Flag Park in
Conroe. Texian is defined as a resident of Mexican Texas and the Republic of Texas and the same region
after annexation by the United States of America in 1845. In addition to Texian, several other names were
used during the period, including Texasian, Texilingan, Texican, and Texonian.
Left: Located in the heart of Montgomery County, The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park
welcomes visitors to Montgomery County as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag. With flying historical
battle and rally flags that represent those that flew during the state’s fight for independence, visitors can
get up close and personal to a fourteen-foot bronze known as The Texian, conceived and sculpted by
Conroe artist Craig Campobella. A bronze bust of Dr. Charles B. Stewart,
the Montgomery County native credited with the design of the Lone Star Flag,
greets visitors at the park’s entrance.
CHAPTER 1
9

✩
A statue of children playing was donated by Spirit of Texas Bank
in honor of the many children who are placed in the custody of
Montgomery County Child Protective Services.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
10

THE COUNTY SEAT
“Conroe is the fastest growing city in the U.S.,” according to the 2017 U.S. Census.
Conroe is the county seat and political hub of Montgomery
County. Primarily a Republican county for more than fifty
years, the county’s sheriff’s department, county jail, courthouse
and political headquarters are all located within the city.
The city is named after Northern-born Union Cavalry
officer and Houston lumberman Isaac Conroe, according to
the Texas State Historical Commission. Conroe founded a
sawmill there in 1881. The city originally gained in wealth
due to the lumber and oil industries. Originally named
“Conroe’s Switch”, the area saw an inflow of residents in the
late nineteenth century due to the lumber demands of the
piney wood forest of the area.
During the 1930s, because
of oil profits, the city boasted
more millionaires per capita
than any other U.S. city,
though only briefly, according
to the TSHC.
✩
Left: Residents proud of their Texas heritage have painted their garage with the
state flag. The Lone Star Flag was designed and birthed in Montgomery County
and is now flown all over Texas.
Bottom, left: The Lone Star Flag is flown before the Montgomery County Rodeo
at the Lone Star Arena in Conroe.
Center: A rodeo clown poses in the middle of the rodeo area under the Lone Star
Flag before showtime.
Bottom: A horse and rider run through the rodeo
arena after the National Anthem is sung during
the Montgomery County Fair and
Rodeo. The annual event is held
in the spring and raises scholarship
funds for local students.
CHAPTER 1
11

Pegasus the flying horse that flew over Clanton’s Service Station in downtown
Conroe now flies in front of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, along the
I-45 corridor, as a result of the generosity and combined efforts of the William (Bill)
Conroe family and the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Pegasus symbol
was adopted as a trademark in the United States in 1931 as a symbol of speed
and power. Gasoline dealers displayed the emblem at their Mobil stations across
the country, according to Bob Davis, of Exxon Mobil. For residents who lived in
Conroe in the 1940s and ’50s, the station was home to the brightly lit, red Pegasus.
The station was operated by Russ Clanton at the corner of Frazier and Davis Streets.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
12

The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County in Conroe near Candy Cane Park began in 1985
and features exhibits chronicling the county’s roots, from the lumber and oil industries to the everyday
lives of Montgomery County residents.
It is housed in the historic Grogan/Cochran home, built in 1924. These two families owned and
operated twenty-five sawmills over the years. One of the first to open in Montgomery County was
in 1917 where The Woodlands is located today. J. G. Grogan built this home in downtown Conroe.
He and his family moved into it in 1924. A year later Mrs. Grogan died and he sold it to his sister
and her husband, Laura and Terrell Cochran. Four generations of the Cochran family occupied the
home until the last descendant and owner Carolyn Meadows Walker, along with her husband Andy
and their son Andrew, donated it to be used for a museum. The home was moved to Candy Cane
Park in Conroe in 1985 to create the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.
Located in front of the museum is the Pegasus horse neon sign that stood atop the old Mobil
Station located on the northwest corner of SH 105 and US 75 during the twentieth century,
according to local historians. Passersby on I-45 will see it lit at night. The Pegasus was donated
to the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County by the William C. (Bill) Conroe family.
This Pegasus flew on top of the Conroe Mobil Gas Service Station dating from the early 1930s,
at the corner of Frazier and Phillips Streets. This thoroughfare, Frazier or US Highway 75,
was the main highway between Houston and Dallas before Interstate 45 was completed.
Visitors to the museum can view a model of Dr. Charles B. Stewart’s office and his drawing
of the flag and seal, and an original land grant signed by President Sam Houston. Besides
designing the Lone Star flag, Stewart also served as the first Secretary of State to the Republic
of Texas, according to The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.
Other interesting outdoor exhibits include a train, an antique tractor, a vintage cannon,
a real“peckerwood” sawmill, a trough, an oil rig and a bronze bust of “Joe Roughneck.”
✩
Former Montgomery County Judge Alan “Barb” Sadler was in office for more than twenty years, was raised in Conroe and
graduated from Conroe High School. Sadler’s greatest achievements while in office were the county’s library system and the
Montgomery County Fairgrounds. According to Sadler, he helped ensure the passage of several bond referendums, which
funded the construction of five libraries, and helped spearhead the creation of the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center at the
fairgrounds. He retired in 2014. His father was a well-known doctor in Conroe, Dr. Deane Sadler. Dr. Sadler moved to Conroe
in 1946 where he started his medical practice at the Falvie Holland Clinic. In the early ’50s Dr. Sadler, Dr. Irving Watson and
Dr. Wally Wilkerson started the Sadler Clinic on Avenue G and Crook Street in Conroe.
Dr. Sadler was a leader in the early stages of the Montgomery County Medical Association CHAPTER 1
and the Texas Medical Association.
13

✩
Right: The Shelton-Smith House in Montgomery was
built in the 1850s by John E. Shelton, a master craftsman,
who built the main portion of the house around 1858
for his friend Thomas W. Smith who was a major cigar
manufacturer in Montgomery County. In 2000, Richard
and Mary Eckhart purchased the property, restored it,
and opened it in 2006 as the Caroline House. The slave
quarters still stand. It was originally a one room box
house with dirt floors and a front and back porch.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
14

✩
Right: Mock’s Grocery: Mock’s Grocery, named for the Mock family, closed in 2016
after seventy-five years of business in the Dobbin area. Dobbin is on Lake Creek at
the junction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, the Burlington Northern, and the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroads, near the intersection of State Highway 105
and Farm Road 1486 in western Montgomery County. The earliest mention of the area
comes from the French explorer René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who camped
northwest of the site of Dobbin on February 14, 1687. One of the first families to settle
in the area was that of Noah and Ester Wightman Griffith, natives of New York state,
who received a Mexican land grant there in 1831, according to historians.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Montgomery County was home to several
large sawmills, dry good stores, saloons, barbershops, ice cream stores, telephone
office, banks, hotels, boarding homes, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, blacksmith
shops, syrup and grist mills, churches, schools, land offices, railroad depots,
telegraph stations, cotton gins, tanning yards, and feed stores—a center for lumber,
farm products and cattle.
The tobacco industry played a vital role in north Montgomery County’s growth
and development during that time. Other cash crops of cotton, watermelons, and
tomatoes were an important part of the economy through the years. The timber
industry, which still plays a role in the county’s economic growth today, has been
its most stable economic product for over 100 years.
✩
Left: Willis once had a college, an opera house and vast tobacco fields
that supported seven cigar factories. The city of Willis was founded in
1870 and Thomas Chapel United Methodist Church already had its
root in town, since 1867, the oldest congregation in town.
CHAPTER 1
15

✩
Left: Conroe Oil Field is an oil-producing area in south central Montgomery County. It was discovered
by George W. Strake, but its development was the quick work of Humble Oil and Refining Company
(now Exxon), the Texas Company (Texaco), and a number of independents. The original field drew
production from an average depth of 5,050 feet in the Upper Cockfield and Main Conroe sands, which
overlie a deep-seated, faulted salt dome of Eocene age. Reservoir pressure has been closely observed since
April 1933 and has been maintained by gas and water injections, avoiding the need for secondary recovery.
Between its discovery on December 13, 1931, and January 1, 1993, the field produced more than 717
million barrels of oil, according to historians.
Above: Magnolia’s Historic Train Depot is a centerpiece to
Magnolia. Each year in April, locals attend Depot Day where
entertainers, craft booths, great food, live and silent auctions
offer entertainment for visitors. The Depot also sponsors annual
Halloween and Christmas events. The Haunted Depot and
Spooky Caboose event is held each Halloween night for the
unique enjoyment of the Magnolia community. The Hometown
Christmas event is held each December in conjunction with the
Annual Christmas Parade. The activities of this event include
vendors, activities for children as well as a visit from Santa.
Bottom, left: When the Houston Great Northern Railroad
pushed north from Houston about ten years after the start of
the Civil War, it changed Montgomery County, Texas, forever,
according to historians. Conroe is on Interstate Highway 45
at the junction of the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern
Santa Fe railroads, seven miles southeast of Lake Conroe in
central Montgomery County.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
16

✩
Above: In 1909, the town’s name was changed from Bobbin to Dobbin. By 1915 the population was 100, and local
businesses included three general stores, two blacksmith shops, a drugstore, and a grocery. In 1926, Dobbin School
was established and by the late 1940s, the community had three churches, two schools, two saw mills, two factories,
nine businesses, the railroad station, several dwellings, and a population of 175. In 1965, Dobbin had a post-peeling
plant. In the late 1960s the population was 106, and in the early 1970s it was 170. By 1990 the town included
Mock’s Feed Store and Grocery, the post office, the Dobbin station of the Montgomery Fire Department, two
churches, and a collection of dwellings; the population was estimated at 200, according to historians.
Above: Sparkle Ice House, once known as a bustling ice
business at 101 Metcalf Street in Conroe, locals would come
here to buy snacks while waiting on the train in the 1950s
and ’60s. The icehouse was the primary source of block
and bulk ice in the area. By the 1970s, business slowed and
it closed down. In 2007, it was headed for demolition until
it was purchased and turned into a rustic special events
venue. In 2017, the building was purchased and is now
Pacific Yard House, Conroe's newest restaurant and music
Above: When oil was discovered in Montgomery
County in 1934, Conroe Mayor Harry M. Crighton
Above: A City of Conroe police officer rides past the
historic Crighton Theater during his morning shift.
Above: Inside the Crighton Theater lobby.
Stars Over Broadway starring Pat O’Brien was
venue, hosting live music in its 125-seat dining room and
bar area.
sold his drugstore and went into the oil business.
The Crighton Theatre is located in downtown Conroe
the very first featured attraction on opening night,
His success in the oil business and his civic pride
at 234 North Main Street and is a truly historic
November 26, 1935, in the highly touted and
influenced his desire for a grand theater. He hired
theatre built in 1934.
acoustically perfect Crighton Theatre, according to
architect Blum E. Hester to build a movie palace
historians. Students from the Abel School of Dance
similar to the great Majestic Theatre in Houston
also performed and tickets were .50 cents for adults
using native stone like that of the capitol in Austin.
and .25 cents for children. Today, the theatre is used
CHAPTER 1
for multiple performances of drama and music.
17

✩
In 1881, Houston lumberman Isaac Conroe established a sawmill on Stewarts Creek two miles east
of the International-Great Northern Railroad’s Houston-Crockett line on a tract of land in the
J. G. Smith survey, first settled in the late 1830s. In January 1884, a post office was
established at the mill commissary, and, at the suggestion of railroad official
H. M. Hoxey, the community took the name Conroe’s Switch,
in honor of the Northern-born, former Union cavalry
officer who founded it and served as its first postmaster;
within a decade the name was shortened to Conroe.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
18

Many famous people have visited Conroe over the years,
including Elvis Presley who performed at the high school
football field on August 24, 1955, and got his hair cut at
Shepard’s Barbershop in Conroe, the oldest barbershop in
the county.
✩
Below: Owner Leon Apostolo says local celebrities, such as country singer
Larry Butler and boxer Roy Harris, still get their hair cut regularly.
The Oldest Barber Shop in Montgomery County
✩
Above: Shepard’s Barber Shop, located at
116 Simonton in Conroe, was established in
1912 and was named the oldest barber shop
in Montgomery County by the Montgomery
County Historical Commission. Customers
come to the establishment to experience its
classic shaving techniques and great
customer service.
CHAPTER 1
19

chapter
2
A
Community
of Quality
There are many reasons to live in Montgomery County. As one person said it,
“You have the best of both worlds here—the city and the country.”
It is a county full of people who care about others.
We care for our veterans, our first responders and we
are active in politics and in our community. We organize
barbecue fundraisers for our friends who have gone through
a crisis or who are going through one.
Each weekend, there is always something to do with family
or friends; a 5K walk/run for a nonprofit organization,
an art festival, a carnival or circus, an antique or car show,
a hike at the Lone Star Trail or a day at Lake Conroe.
Our faith is important to us. We have a number of
different houses of worship sprawled across the county.
We love all our animals, furry and feathered ones.
Friends of Texas Wildlife care for injured wild animals
and we have many dog parks for your furry friends.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
20

✩
Lilies bloom every July on the grounds of St. James Episcopal Church on Highway 105 West in Conroe.
CHAPTER 2
21

✩
Veterans are heroes and are honored
and respected in the community.
VETERAN’ S
D A Y
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
22

✩
Senior citizens are a priority in Montgomery
County. The East Montgomery County
Senior Center and Friendship Centers across
the county host bingo game days, painting,
music and singing, use of computers and lots
of fellowship with others.
CHAPTER 2
23

LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
24

✩
Above: Fearless Boxing is a family-friendly environment that encourages and trains kids and
adults in boxing techniques. Their mission is to bring state of the art boxing to the community,
where participants will have a safe, educational and encouraging place to learn their skills.
✩
Above: With Texas’ weather,
skateboarders can enjoy boarding
all year long.
✩
Left: Giving back to the next generation
is important to residents of Montgomery
County. Whether it is teaching, coaching,
training, tutoring or giving, the people
here are bighearted.
Right: Our pets are important to us in
Montgomery County. We have dog parks,
dog groomers, rescue groups, animal
shelters and even a place to go
swimming with our dogs.
CHAPTER 2
25

Montgomery County is one of the most heavily Republican
counties in Texas, giving 78.1 percent of its vote to George W. Bush
in 2004 and 75.8 percent of its vote to John McCain in 2008. The
county has not been won by a Democratic presidential candidate
since native Texan Lyndon Johnson won 60.9 percent of the
county’s vote in 1964. In 2016 it was the only county in the
United States which Republican nominee Donald Trump won
against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by a margin of greater
than 100,000 votes, according to historians.
✩
Above: Dr. Wally Wilkerson (wearing a tie) was honored with a fifty-year
celebration party for being Montgomery County Republican Chairman. Not
only is Dr. Wilkerson the longest serving county chairman in Texas history,
there is no record of any county chairman in the entire
United States that has served for fifty years.
Below: Texas Governor Greg Abbott leads the officer induction at a
North Shore Republican Women meeting at Bentwater
Country Club.
After the construction of Interstate 45 in the 1960s, many
Houstonians began to settle in communities around Conroe,
including Cut and Shoot, Oak Ridge North, Shenandoah and
The Woodlands.
For residents and potential residents of Montgomery County,
please visit www.mctx.org for more information and helpful resources.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
26

✩
Montgomery County is a patriotic county, filled with patriots.
Top: Firefighters donate coats to kids.
Above: Sheriff Rand Henderson helps out Foster Care Advocate
Terri Jaggers during the annual Adoption Day at the Montgomery
County Courthouse.
Right: Conroe Police officer and K9 officer work security during the fair.
Far right: Oak Ridge North residents enjoy the annual Fourth of July Parade.
CHAPTER 2
27

✩
Conroe Cruisers Car Club members showcase their cars in
downtown Conroe every June and are dedicated to the preservation,
restoration and appreciation of all automobiles.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
28

CHAPTER 2
29

✩
Above: There are many fun options for spending time with the family.
The circus is one of them—the circus at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center in Conroe.
Opposite: This was the last time that elephants worked the circus before they retired in 2016.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
30

CHAPTER 2
31

✩
Above: During a vocal student showcase, one artist belts out a song in front of friends and family at Dosey Doe’s Big Barn.
Opposite: Outdoor concerts and festivals are fun at Hughes Landing, along the water, where you can kayak and hear the music at the same time.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
32

Music is big in this part of Texas; from country to rock
with a little bit of Cajun-style added to the mix. Locals enjoy
going to popular music venues across the county where
one can enjoy various genres of music—from small pubs
to the large concert venue Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
to the Hughes Landing Outdoor Amphitheatre (above).
CHAPTER 2
33

✩
The annual Magnolia Stroll is a Mardi Gras celebration
for the whole family. The Magnolia Stroll is an annual
event with lots of celebration, held the Saturday before
Fat Tuesday. Live music, Cajun cook-off and a
Dancing Umbrella Parade entertain the attendees.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
34

✩
Hughes Landing in The Woodlands highlights its
Restaurant Row with an annual birthday bash. People of
all ages enjoy trying samples of the restaurant food and
live entertainment.
CHAPTER 2
35

✩
Chicken Fried Steak is a Texas staple food.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
36

✩
Right: Two musicians sing Christmas
carols at Conroe Coffee on Main Street,
in downtown Conroe. Conroe Coffee
is a unique coffee shop with a cool,
eclectic vibe that serves up imported
Italian coffee, sandwiches and pastries.
✩
Left: Hand made chocolates
at Chocolate Passion.
CHAPTER 2
37

✩
Below: The cross-over bridge at the Montgomery County Courthouse
connects between the old building and the newer office building.
✩
Above: Shopping for antiques in downtown Montgomery.
Left: Yellow Rose Reception Hall in New Caney.
Below: Shopping for antiques in Conroe.
✩
The Ark Church in Conroe.
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38

✩
Rural Montgomery County is a wonderful sight on a lazy weekend day.
Motorcyclists can be seen riding on an early Saturday morning on the many country roads.
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39

chapter
3
A
Community
of Interests
There is so much to do in Montgomery County! Whether it is exploring nature, touring historical
landmarks, going out to a fancy restaurant on The Waterway or attending a concert, there are many
options to choose from.
From classic car shows to art festivals, to the annual Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo to the
Texas Renaissance Festival, people in and around Montgomery County are never bored.
In the city of Montgomery, families can spend the day at Fernland Historical Park and Museum and
Memory Garden, St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary or go antiquing. A Farmer’s Market is held the first Saturday
of each month, nestled under the trees at the Old Community Center in Historic Downtown. Around
the lake, there are many water sports businesses which offer boat and Jet Ski rentals and fishing guides.
Afterwards, stop by Cork This! Winery or The Cozy Grape Restaurant.
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40

✩
The Lone Star Trail is the longest wilderness footpath in Texas. The Lone Star Trail runs along Lake Conroe in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Montgomery County is not necessarily known as a hiking destination, but there is no shortage of wilderness to explore. The Sierra Club recognized this,
and in 1966 its Lone Star Chapter conceived the idea for the Lone Star Hiking Trail, according to Backwoods Adventures. Once approved by the United
States Forest Service, the trailblazing began the following year. By 1968, 30 miles of trail had been forged by the Boy Scouts of America, the Sierra Club,
and countless volunteers. Today, there are 128 miles of trail, 96 of which are part of a thru-trail, with the remaining 32 miles being crossover and footpathonly
trails. Even with massive trail systems in Big Bend, the Lone Star Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the entire state of Texas.
CHAPTER 3
41

✩
Lake Conroe and acres of scenic pine and hardwood forests are some of Conroe’s
main attractions. Those who love spending time outdoors swimming, fishing,
boating, kayaking and hiking can find many things to do in Montgomery County.
✩
Bentwater Golf Course.
Lake Conroe is a big attraction for homeowners and tourists alike, since it was planned and
constructed in the mid-1970s. It was built soon after the record seven-year drought of the 1950s
to prevent a repeat of the water shortages experienced during the drought, according to the
San Jacinto River Authority.
Lake Conroe is also one of the most popular boating lakes in Texas. Jet skiing, water skiing,
wind surfing, sailing and fishing also are very popular on Lake Conroe. You can do it all on
Lake Conroe. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife, fishing for Catfish and Bluegill are
excellent, Largemouth Bass and Crappie are good, and White Bass and Striped-Hybrid Bass are fair.
It is a host for the Bassmaster Classic fishing tournament and for boaters and others who love
to fish for relaxation.
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42

✩
Scott’s Ridge Recreation Area is located
on the west edge of Lake Conroe.
✩
Scott’s Ridge Boat Ramp.
✩
From boating and boarding to unwinding at a lakeside bar or walking the dog, people cannot
come to the area without partaking in the surplus of activities Lake Conroe has to offer.
Rent a paddleboard, take out a boat or jet ski, get some quiet time with a day of fishing,
or bring a group of friends and spend a day of fun in the sun.
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43

✩
Artists creating art are plenty in Montgomery County. Conroe Art League and Woodlands Art League are two nonprofit
organizations bringing vibrant artists and art lovers together. Artists teach on-going classes in many mediums throughout the year.
There is something for everyone at every level of skill or interest.
Opposite: The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is an annual event showcasing artists from all over the nation. The Woodlands
Arts Council’s mission is to provide regional cultural and educational enrichment by presenting The Woodlands Waterway Arts
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
44
Festival and hosting community events and programs that support the performing, visual and literary arts for residents of the area.

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45

✩
The Woodlands is a mixed-use town center featuring retail, restaurant, cinema, office and hotel in one of
Montgomery County’s top master-planned communities, The Woodlands. Luxury stores like Tiffany & Co.,
Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors and the seventy-room boutique Hyatt Centric hotel make Market Street
a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination. It is located across the street from
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and across from The Woodlands Mall.
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46

Business people have a variety of organizations to join to network and expand their
businesses with others in the county. Those interested in politics on a national and local
level have clubs to participate in weekly and monthly.
Animal lovers can take their pets to one of the many dog parks or volunteer at the
Montgomery County Animal Shelter or at a nearby rescue center. For those who love
helping people, volunteers are needed to take meals to senior citizens at Meals on Wheels
or help bag food at the Montgomery County Food Bank for those less fortunate.
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47

✩
Above: Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson enjoys the Montgomery County Fair with his wife and children.
Right: The Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo is a much-anticipated annual event held in the Spring. The fair raises thousands of
scholarship dollars for students to win through their fair entries.
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48

✩
Left: Praying before the performance.
Below: Cowboys gather for a quick meeting.
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49

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50

✩
Kids have fun and win trophies during the youth rodeo events
which include mutton bustin, stick horse race, goat ribbon
pulling and the boot scramble.
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51

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52

The Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo is an
annual ten-day event which serves as a platform
for youth of Montgomery County to be able to
display their projects in a public setting, all while
having fun.
The Montgomery County Fair Association awards
scholarships to students with and without fair
projects every year. Since the program began in
1993, more than $1.5 million have been given in
college scholarships.
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53

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54

CHAPTER 3
55

In downtown Conroe, the Crighton Theatre and
the Owen Theatre have various live performances to
attend or to participate in each season. The Crighton
Theatre is a historic theatre built in 1934 and is the
home base for performances offered by Stage-Right
Productions, Montgomery County Performing Arts
Society, Sounds of Texas Music Series and Christian
Youth Theatre.
The Owen Theatre is an intimate, soft seat venue
that seats about 250 people and is home to The
Players Theatre Company. This building was originally
built in 1946 as the Weisinger Pontiac/GMC
Dealership. It is owned by the City of Conroe and
has been renovated to accommodate the production
and presentation of live theatrical performances.
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56

✩
Participants compete for scholarships
in The Texas Young Artists Music
Competition held at the historic Crighton
Theater in Conroe. The mission of the
competition is to encourage excellence in
young musicians and to further artistic
growth throughout Texas.
✩
Above: A harpist participates in the Young Texas Artist Music
Competition on stage at the historic Crighton Theater in Conroe.
Right: Artist Jackie Impey poses in front of her blue ribbon
masterpiece at the Lake Robbins Community Center in
The Woodlands.
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57

✩
Music is big in Montgomery County, whether it is country, rock, jazz or blues. There is the Cynthia Woods Mitchell
Pavilion which hosts major concerts, and there are smaller venues like Dosey Doe Big Barn (above ) in The Woodlands,
Red Brick Tavern (below) in Conroe and Genuwine Tasting Room in Magnolia.
Left: New Caney Roger Mann Jamboree is “like a family reunion every time you go. Everyone wants to meet you and
know your name. The music is great, the food is great and you can sit back and relax a while,” says a frequent goer.
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58

In Willis, the north side of Lake Conroe offers more water sports, fishing and boating,
along with some great, long-time restaurants in the area. Leroy’s BBQ and Burgers,
Pizza Shack, Poppy’s Seafood Grille, Tailgaters offer an ethnic variety of foods.
On the streets near and around the Montgomery County Courthouse, there are
an array of local businesses: the Conroe Art League and Art Gallery, coffee shops,
restaurants, pubs and taverns, antique shops, barber shops and more.
The Woodlands has the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Hughes Landing (below)
and Restaurant Row, The Waterway, kayak rentals, high-end shopping at The Woodlands
Mall and Market Street (top, right), movie theaters, nature trails and much more.
There is not just one sort of person or interest in Montgomery County, we have a
little bit of everything, whatever your likes and passions.
✩
Hughes Landing, with its Restaurant Row and boutiques, hosts outdoor music
concerts and festivals. It is nestled between Town Center and Research Forest
and is a sixty-six-acre mixed-use development which includes office buildings,
a hotel, state-of-the-art fitness center, and a Whole Foods Market.
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59

✩
A variety of food cultures are available within miles from each other.
Locals can enjoy Magnolia’s Lone Pint Brewery (below) or The Blue
Fish of Hughes Landing depending on what they are craving.
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60

West of Conroe and on the way to
Montgomery, restaurants are located
around or near the lake where you can
eat fried catfish, chicken fried steak,
barbecue brisket, a bucket of crawfish
or some Tex-Mex enchiladas.
Magnolia has the Lone Pint Brewery
(opposite, bottom left and right), The
Magnolia Stroll and the Magnolia
Train Depot. In New Caney, you can
attend the annual Sawmill Festival
and watch the chainsaw sculptors and
tractor races or go hiking in the Lake
Houston Wilderness Park.
Bernhardt Winery (below) is located
just west of Montgomery County in
Plantersville. Wine tasters can enjoy outdoor lawn concerts in the
evening an hour before sunset while sipping their favorite wine from the
vineyard. Every June, volunteers come out to help harvest the grapes.
✩
Various types of food and restaurants are available all over Montgomery County from Mexican
to Tex-Mex, to different Asian varieties, to Italian and Indian foods. Southern fried catfish,
fried chicken and chicken fried steaks are popular local fare, as well.
✩
Joe’s Italian Restaurant is a popular restaurant in Conroe
for friends and family to enjoy New York-style pasta and
brick oven pizza, and, of course, Joe’s famous rolls. CHAPTER 3
61

✩
Below: Senator John Cornyn visits Montgomery College-Conroe Center and
observes the machinist and welding programs.
chapter
4
A
Community
of Diverse Skills
E DUCATION IS I MPORTANT IN M ONTGOMERY C OUNTY
Lone Star College is very convenient for Montgomery County residents and is the largest institution
of higher education in the Houston area. It is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the
nation, offering classes and certifications in various trades and more than 180 programs of study close
to home. It is a growing contributor to the local and regional economy with an annual economic
impact of $3.1 billion. Students rely on Lone Star College for Associate Degrees, certifications for
work in high-demand industries, and credits that enable them to transfer anywhere, according to LSC.
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62

✩
Opposite: Lone Star College–Conroe, Conroe Center offers many
hands-on career paths for students wanting to work in machining,
welding or automotive technology. LSC–Conroe Center provides
on-site tutoring, testing, library services, book store, corporate
training, community meeting facilities and more—both for students
and the community.
Lone Star College–Montgomery is an affordable community
college, close to home, where students can earn a degree, not debt,
and transfer anywhere. Lone Star College is the largest institution
of higher education in the Houston area and one of the
fastest-growing community colleges in the nation.
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63

✩
Texas A&M University Corp of Cadets perform in the Go Texan Parade in February in downtown Conroe.
Texas A&M University is located about an hour and a half drive from Conroe in College Station.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
64

✩
Above: Dr. Don Stockton, superintendent of schools for Conroe Independent School District
reading to a young audience.
Left: Conroe ISD teacher Sam Cable (back left) with CISD Superintendent Don Stockton
and Conroe Education Foundation President Nelda Luce Blair pose with the first group
of students to receive the All Means All Scholarship which Cable created in 2015.
Conroe Independent School District is the largest
employer of Montgomery County, with sixty-plus school
campuses in a 348-square mile area. It is one of the
fastest growing school districts in the state with an
average enrollment growth of about 1,500 students per
year. Other excellent school districts are Montgomery
ISD, Willis ISD, Magnolia ISD, and Splendora ISD and
New Caney ISD.
✩
Right: The CISD Natatorium provides an environment that enriches the
competitive opportunities of student athletes.
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65

Conroe Tiger Band Director Bobby Heathcock has
gathered various historical facts, going all the way back
to 1911. It was in 1911 that football was added to the
school curriculum when the team played scrimmages
against Huntsville until 1913. It was not until 1914 that
Conroe High formed its first football team for league
competition, according to Heathcock. The team had
eleven players, and all had to promise their principal
that they would remain in school until Christmas
break so they could compete. “Football is big in Conroe.
It’s the most popular sport. The spectators line up on
the sidelines to watch the game and travel up and
down thesidelines with the teams in play,” Heathcock said.
✩
Above: Conroe High School was the first high school in
the district, more than 100 years ago.
Left: The Conroe Tiger Band, which was established
in 1929, is one of the largest and most visible student
organizations on campus, and its members consistently
project a positive representation of their community.
Opposite, top left and right: Conroe High School
Army JROTC.
Opposite, center: The Conroe Tiger Band, which
encompasses winds, percussion, and color guard
members, forms an integral part of school life and is
recognized as a curricular activity.
Opposite, bottom right: Pastor Anthony Shelton
volunteers at the annual Golden Girl
Pancake Fundraiser.
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67

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68

Conroe ISD
Magnolia ISD
Montgomery ISD
New Caney ISD
Splendora ISD
Willis ISD
Many private and charter schools are an option for parents, as well. Lifestyle
Christian School, Covenant Christian and Sacred Heart Catholic School are in
Conroe, with others in The Woodlands, Montgomery, Willis and Magnolia.
Grand Oaks High School will open in the Fall of 2018 and will be located at
4800 Riley Fuzzel Road in Spring. With the fast growth of Montgomery County,
CISD needed to build another high school. The new school will have a capacity
for 3,100 students.
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Fridays in the fall are reserved for high school football games where fans cheer for their favorite players,
band and drill team. In spring, it is basketball, baseball and soccer season. Education of our children is a
priority and Montgomery County has some of the best schools in the nation—from pre-schools to higher
education. Students are learning restaurant management, auto mechanics, cosmetology and fashion design
before ever graduating high school. The Academy of Science and Technology prepares students who have
a strong interest in mathematics, the sciences, and technology to excel in college and life.
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70

✩
Left: Montgomery Junior High
welcomes veterans.
Overall, Montgomery County has an
assortment of education possibilities
for students with various talents, skills
and passions.
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71

chapter
5
A
Community
Positioned
for
the
Future
✩
Above: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station,
which opened in 2016, serves the needs of corporate and business travelers
arriving from outside the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Federal Inspection allows inbound international flights to the
Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport, avoiding congested Houston airspace.
From its 1837 origin as a trading post, Montgomery County has grown to more than a half million
residents, and population is projected to increase to 1 million by 2030, according to Montgomery
County Mobility.
With some of the largest master-planned communities in the Houston-Galveston region and
multiple, rapidly expanding employment centers, Montgomery County is planning for the future
with the passing of a number of projects as a result of the $280 million road bond that was passed
in November 2015.
“The voters in Montgomery County saw past a lot of the nonsense, and they are ready to move
forward,” Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said in a November 2015 Community Impact
article. “I think it is important that we come together and ensure that our vision going forward
is a positive one and that we address the needs of the seventh-fastest growing county in the nation.”
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72

✩
Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport is an international, all-weather airport. It hosts over 300 aircraft,
240 hangars, a control tower, two FBOs, a general aviation terminal building, a U.S. Army Reserve
Aviation unit and more than twenty businesses and several government agencies.
The General Chennault Flying Tiger Academy in partnership with Lone Star College offers a career pilot
program for future aviators. The academy specializes in training international students who want to go
from zero time to a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration-licensed commercial pilot.”
CHAPTER 5
73

✩
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation is an American petroleum and natural gas exploration and production company headquartered in
The Woodlands, Texas. The company is headquartered in two skyscrapers in The Woodlands, Texas. The Anadarko towers symbolize
business growth in the community. The company has about 3,500 employees and contractors in The Woodlands, with approximately
4,500 employees worldwide who support activity in more than fifteen countries.
Above: The Allison Tower (center), formerly Anadarko Tower, is a thirty-two story, 439 feet skyscraper located in The Woodlands, Texas.
It is currently the tallest building in Montgomery County, Texas, and the tallest building between Houston and Dallas. The 807,000-square
foot tower now serves as World Headquarters for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and is currently owned by Anadarko Realty Company.
An adjacent tower is located next to Allison (Anadarko) Tower to accommodate Anadarko’s manpower expansion. During a summer of
2013, Anadarko Tower was renamed Allison Tower for Robert Allison, Jr., the first CEO of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. The second
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
74
tower (above, on the left) is dedicated to James Hackett, another former Anadarko Petroleum CEO, and deemed Hackett Tower.

✩
Heron sculpture skirts
Hackett Tower.
CHAPTER 5
75

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76

Families living in Montgomery County have a lot to look forward to for living,
working and playing.
One of Montgomery County’s newest housing developments is Grand Central Park,
located at the southwest corner of Loop 336 and Interstate 45, in Conroe. It is
a 2,046-acre experience that combines living, working and playing, providing
access to everything Montgomery County has to offer, as well as close proximity to
Houston’s Energy Corridor and Exxon Mobil campus. A master-planned community
by Johnson Development Corporation, formerly known as Camp Strake Boy Scout
land will consist of 350 lots in the first section.
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77

✩
People enjoy free trolley rides in The Woodlands.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
78

East Montgomery County is growing now more
than ever before in its history. Once just known for
the rural countryside and small towns of Montgomery
County, east Montgomery County will be the home
of the future Grand Texas, a destination development
which currently encompasses over 632 acres and is
growing. When complete, Grand Texas will contain
the Houston area’s largest amusement park, the
Big Rivers Waterpark, The Grove Factory Outlets,
Speedsportz Racing Park, Grand Texas Sportsplex,
Grand Texas RV Resort, and a promenade featuring
numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment
venues, according to Grand Texas developers.
CHAPTER 5
79

The Future of
Montgomery County
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
80

A Community
Positioned
for
the
Future
CHAPTER 5
81

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82
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
Profiles of businesses, organizations, and families that have contributed
to the development and economic base of Montgomery County
Spirit of Texas Bank...................................................................................................84
San Jacinto River Authority.........................................................................................90
Buckalew Chevrolet, L.P..............................................................................................94
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands ............................................................98
Lone Star College ....................................................................................................102
Consolidated Communications, Inc..............................................................................104
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4709 ............................................................................106
ABM International, Inc. ............................................................................................108
Lake Conroe Association ...........................................................................................110
Soules Insurance Agency ...........................................................................................112
East Montgomery Improvement District .......................................................................114
Eickenhorst Funeral Services .....................................................................................116
The Woodlands Development Company.........................................................................118
Pizza Shack ............................................................................................................120
Montgomery County Fair Association ..........................................................................122
Southwestern Imaging Systems & Service .....................................................................124
Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company.............................................................................126
Greater Conroe Economic Development Council.............................................................128
The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership ................................................129
BCS Properties ........................................................................................................130
State Representative Will Metcalf ...............................................................................131
Chocolate Passion ....................................................................................................132
Montgomery County Constable’s Office Precinct 3 .........................................................133
Sacred Heart Catholic Church ....................................................................................134
Owner Builder Network ® ...........................................................................................135
The J. Beard Real Estate Company ..............................................................................136
John Wiesner, Inc.....................................................................................................137
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare...............................................................................138
Montgomery County Texas Republican Party.................................................................139
Montgomery County Government ................................................................................140
The Salvation Army .................................................................................................141

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
83

SPIRIT OF TEXAS BANK
✩
Below: A blue light is cast upon Spirit of Texas Bank in Conroe after the
July 2016 ambush shootings of five Dallas police officers. Spirit of Texas
Bank backs the blue and supports American law enforcement.
Spirit of Texas Bank in Conroe is a 24,000-square-foot,
three-story building, which is the anchor structure for
Taysha Park. Additional plans for the park along Texas 105
near I-45 North include a 1,200-seat performing arts
theater and other businesses. On the right, Craig Campobella
and CEO Dean Bass install the Texas star.
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84

✩
Left: Spirit of Texas bank’s Grand Opening ceremony.
Bottom, left: The bronze 23.75-karat gold-gilded statue, Texas Lady Liberty.
Texas Lady Liberty, the centerpiece of Taysha Park, is the
only gold-gilded statue in the State of Texas.
Bottom, center: (Right to left) U.S. Navy SEAL and Navy Cross recipient
Marcus Luttrell attended the grand opening along with Sam Houston IV, the
great-grandson of General Sam Houston; his daughter, Vicki Houston Allen;
great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Wilkinson; and granddaughter,
Sherry Wilkinson-Omeara.
Bottom, right: Marcus Luttrell with the Sons of the Republic of Texas.
Craig Campobella’s Texas Lady Liberty statue was inspired
by the centerpiece of the flag carried at the Battle of
San Jacinto by Colonel Sidney Sherman’s Kentucky Militia.
Sam Houston IV, the great-grandson of Sam Houston,
stands with Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell to light the eternal
flame in the base of the statue.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
85

✩
Top, left: (Left to right) Spirit of Texas Bank Regional President James Ebrey;
Vice President Commercial Lending Audrey Blevins-Winkle and
Market President Judy Olson.
Top, right: (Left to right) Spirit of Texas Bank Vice President and
General Counsel Michael L. Durham, Sr.; SBA Office President Tim Duffy;
and Executive Vice President, CFO, SOO Jerry Golemon.
Bottom, left: Spirit of Texas Bank Chairman/CEO Dean Bass shakes hands
with a customer at the grand opening event.
Bottom, right: The statue of Jose Antonio Navarro and Stephen F. Austin
by Sculptor Craig Campobella depicts these two Texas founders plotting out
their vision for Texas. The educational statue is located at 1525 Lake Front
Circle in The Woodlands on land that was originally part of the Walker
County School Land Survey A-599, set aside in 1855 for education.
Spirit of Texas Bank is a catalyst for economic growth.
“We are Texans Helping Texans…with small business
loans and mortgages,” says President David McGuire.
“We are the number one small business lender of all
community banks based in Texas.”
Spirit of Texas Bank chose Conroe to be its organizational
headquarters because “We’re big believers in Montgomery
County. The quality of life in Montgomery County is
wonderful. It is a great place to raise a family or open
a business.”
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86

✩
Left: Spirit of Texas Banker Kevin Bass with Crystal Mims, owner of
Back In Time Popcorn. Spirit of Texas Bank loans have made many
thousands of jobs possible in Montgomery County and in Texas.
Bottom, left: Spirit of Texas Bank President David M. McGuire.
Below: New private construction in Conroe, Texas, financed by
Spirit of Texas Bank.
Spirit of Texas Bank provides loans for small businesses,
new homes, and civic construction, as well as other banking
services to the community. Spirit of Texas Bank is the number
one lender of SBA Loans by both number and dollar volume
among community banks headquartered in Texas.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
87

✩
Right: Spirit of Texas Bank Vice President and Director of Business
Development Will Metcalf and wife, Megan, with their twin daughters,
Amelia and Elizabeth, at the Christmas parade. Spirit of Texas Bank gives
back to its communities and serves the citizens of the great State of Texas.
The employees’ families participate in the annual Conroe
Christmas Parade and are very active in charitable organizations
including the MS150, the Boy Scouts of America, and
the 100 Club.
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88

✩
Above: The New Year’s Eve Gala for MCCPS, left to right, Dean Bass,
Hope Robinson, Megan and Kevin Bass, and Daniel Wolfson.
Spirit of Texas Bank has supported the annual New Year’s
Eve Gala for Montgomery County Children’s Protective
Services for many years. The bank has also participated
in golf tournaments and skeet shoots benefitting various
charities in Montgomery County, Boys & Girls Clubs,
YMCA, Montgomery County Food Bank, United Way and
the movie We are Stronger.
Spirit of Texas Bank-Conroe is located at 1836 Spirit of
Texas Way (815 West Davis Street) in Conroe, Texas 77301.
For more information call 936-538-1000.
The Woodlands Central Branch is located at 1525
Lake Front Circle, Suite 5, The Woodlands, Texas 77380.
Call 281-465-3000 for more information or visit us at
www.sotb.com.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
89

SAN JACINTO
RIVER AUTHORITY
✩
San Jacinto River Authority General Administration Building.
In 2012 the San Jacinto River Authority marked seventyfive
years of developing, preserving, and protecting the
watershed for which it was named. SJRA formed in 1937
after a group of Montgomery County businessmen saw a
need to develop and utilize the river basin’s resources.
The river authority finally came to fruition thanks to the
work of local civic leaders and legislators, and—throughout
the following eight decades—diligently planned for longterm
regional water needs and implemented a plethora of
water-related services.
Covering all or a portion of six counties including
Montgomery, Waller, Walker, Grimes, San Jacinto, and
Liberty, the River Authority’s jurisdiction currently includes
the entire San Jacinto River watershed, with the exception of
Harris County. It is, however, allowed to conduct operations
in Harris County east of the San Jacinto River via a service
area agreement with the City of Houston, with substantial
operations in southeast Harris County, supplying raw water
for industrial, municipal and agricultural purposes.
SJRA’s mission is to plan for and develop adequate and
reliable long-term water supplies; treat and distribute safe
drinking water; provide regional wastewater treatment
services; deliver raw water for municipal, industrial and
agricultural use; monitor and protect source water quality;
ensure safe, dependable reservoir operations; and educate
the public about water conservation and resources.
SJRA is one of ten major river authorities in the State of
Texas. For nearly 100 years, these organizations have
performed their missions without taxpayer assistance or
funding from the state. In addition to being responsible
for the construction and maintenance of the majority of
Texas’ lakes and reservoirs, many river authorities engage in
complex water supply programs for cities, industries, agriculture,
and irrigation throughout the state. River authority
leadership and participation in developing and applying
water resources to the benefit of the public is the norm.
On August 21, 1917, the citizens of Texas passed a
constitutional amendment referred to as the Conservation
Amendment, which authorized the Legislature to create
governmental entities with the authority to develop
large-scale regional projects, such as dams, reservoirs,
and delivery systems, for the purpose of conserving and
developing the state’s water resources.
In passing the Conservation Amendment, the Legislature
and citizens of Texas recognized that water resources must
be developed, controlled, managed, and applied to beneficial
public uses and this can only occur through an agency
with geographical boundaries that correspond to river
basins. Furthermore, the governing board of said agencies
must be broadly representative of the river basin, encouraged
to have a long-term vision, and given a broad mission
to develop and apply the water resources in the river basin.
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90

Shortly after its creation, from 1937 to 1941, SJRA
began work on a master plan for water supply development
in the San Jacinto River Basin and also began a long-term
program of soil conservation and land reclamation.
Intended to improve the agriculture of the area and prevent
detrimental effects to the watershed from erosion, the
program was activated in 1946.
Despite a successful foray into the area of soil conservation,
water supply development has remained SJRA’s
primary focus. In 1945, SJRA acquired a portion of the
Federal Works Agency canal system serving the ship
channel industries, as well as water rights in the San Jacinto
River. By agreement with the City of Houston, SJRA
acquired additional water rights in Lake Houston following
its completion in 1954. In 1968, SJRA partnered with
the City of Houston and, with loan assistance from the
Texas Water Development Board, began construction of
Lake Conroe, which was completed in 1973.
In 1975, SJRA began operating the wholesale water
supply and wastewater treatment systems serving
The Woodlands, which has grown to include thirty-eight
groundwater wells that serve over 100,000 people.
In 1995 the organization began the acquisition of water
rights in the Trinity River Basin to substitute for San Jacinto
River water in serving its ship channel industrial customers,
thereby freeing up SJRA’s water in Lake Conroe for future
use in Montgomery County.
Since 1997, when SJRA’s general manager was appointed
by the Texas Water Development Board to serve on the
Region H Water Planning Group, it has had a leadership
role in the regional water planning process for the greater
Houston area, including serving as chairman of the planning
group, administering the group’s grant and consulting
contracts, and providing staff support and legal counsel.
In 2001, SJRA purchased additional Trinity River water
rights for $8 million; and four years later it secured more
water rights in Lake Houston.
Since 2005, SJRA has secured
additional water rights in Lake
Houston through the acquisition
of TCEQ permits for previously
unidentified, unallocated water.
SJRA in 2009 entered into a
memorandum of understanding
with the City of Houston to
purchase water from the city in
Lake Conroe and to enable the
organization to complete a
✩
Above: Aerial views of Lake Conroe Dam.
Below: Aerial view of San Jacinto River Authority Groundwater Reduction
Plan or GRP Division.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
91

✩
Above: San Jacinto River Authority Highlands Division.
Below: San Jacinto River Authority Bear Branch.
countywide water resources assessment plan. Later that
year, SJRA completed the Houston water supply contract to
secure all the stored water in Lake Conroe for use in
Montgomery County.
SJRA has since planned, facilitated, and implemented a
countywide surface water supply program for Montgomery
County that involves more than eighty wholesale
customer cities, districts, and utilities. The GRP
(Groundwater Reduction Plan) program is a
partnership with over 150 separate water systems.
Treated drinking water from the new SJRA
surface water plant is blended with groundwater
from each utility’s existing water wells. This
cooperative program between SJRA and GRP
partners not only creates a lasting water solution
for future generations, but it also ensures that
Montgomery County’s economic engine has a
plentiful supply of water to fuel its continued
growth. Treated surface water deliveries began on
September 18, 2015.
Key individuals during SJRA’s development
include Courtney W. Curry, assistant manager
from 1947 to 1957 and general manager from
1957 to 1976; Jack K. Ayer, general counsel from 1947 to
1974, staff attorney from 1974 to 1976 and general manager
from 1976 to 1990; James R. Adams, assistant general
manager from 1989 to 1990, and general manager from
1990 to 2006; H. Reed Eichelberger, manager of surface
water operations from 1997 to 2000, deputy general manager
from 2000 to 2006, and general manager from 2006 to 2012;
and Michael G. Page, general counsel from 1971 to 2012.
In the past twenty years, SJRA’s Board of Directors
has been comprised primarily of Montgomery County
residents. The current board includes Lloyd B. Tisdale,
president; Fred Koetting, vice president; Mary L. Rummell,
secretary; Joseph Stunja, treasurer; and John D. Eckstrum,
Michael Bleier, and Jim Alexander, directors.
Its current senior management team includes Jace A.
Houston, general manager; Ronald D. Kelling, deputy
general manager; Tom Michel, director of financial and
administrative services; David Parkhill, director of raw
water enterprise; and Mitchell Page, general counsel.
SJRA operates four divisions with 180 employees. Those
four divisions are the GRP (Groundwater Reduction Plan)
Division, Lake Conroe Division, Highlands Division, and the
Woodlands Division. The GRP Division, located in Conroe,
provides compliance with groundwater reduction requirements
to 150-plus water systems in Montgomery County by
providing a reliable, long-term alternate water supply.
The Lake Conroe Division, also in Conroe, operates Lake
Conroe, which is funded through a joint venture between
SJRA and the City of Houston. The division is responsible for
operating and maintaining the resources of the Lake Conroe
dam and reservoir and issues licenses and permits to a variety
of customers within its area of jurisdiction. Customers include
residential and commercial irrigators, residential and commercial
dock owners, commercial businesses, and owners of
on-site sewage facilities within 2,075 feet of Lake Conroe.
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92

Located in east Harris County, the Highlands Division
delivers raw water from Lake Houston and the Trinity River
through an extensive twenty-seven-mile system of canals
and a 1,400 acre staging reservoir, providing water to customers
such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron Phillips Chemical
Company, and a number of other industrial, municipal and
agricultural entities pursuant to long-term water supply
contracts. The Highlands Division delivers more water each
day than all SJRA’s other operating divisions combined and
has been its principle enterprise nearly its entire history.
The Woodlands Division, located in The Woodlands,
provides wholesale water supply and wastewater treatment
services to the 100,000-plus population of The
Woodlands through contracts with eleven municipal
utility districts.
SJRA focuses on its customers and stakeholders and
treats each person with whom it works with dignity and
respect. The organization values the principles of honesty,
trustworthiness and transparency and is knowledgeable
and diligent in the performance of its duties. SJRA uses its
financial resources responsibly, is accountable for its
performance, and is constantly working to improve.
Furthermore, the organization supports responsible water
resource development and conservation while working
to ensure its systems and strategies remain viable for
future generations.
Thanks in large part to SJRA’s efforts, Montgomery
County has a feasible and affordable solution for its current
and future water needs. By beginning to gradually utilize
the surface water in Lake Conroe, the county can reduce
the pressure on its groundwater supplies, stabilize water
levels in its aquifers, and conjunctively utilize both surface
water and groundwater instead of completely relying on
a single supply source.
SJRA continues to pursue additional water supply
strategies for meeting Montgomery County’s long-term
water needs, including researching and developing other
Gulf Coast aquifers, advanced water conservation practices,
drought contingency plans, reuse of treated wastewater
effluent, and importation of water from other basins.
As remarkable as SJRA’s past has been, its future
holds additional challenges, as well as opportunities for
achievement that benefit the community. SJRA’s board of
directors, management, and staff look forward to these tasks.
For more information about SJRA or any of its divisions,
visit the organization’s website at www.sjra.net.
✩
Left: San Jacinto River Authority Woodlands Wastewater Treatment
Plant No. 1.
Right: San Jacinto River Authority Woodlands Office.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
93

BUCKALEW CHEVROLET, L.P.
✩
Above: Left to right, W. B. Weisinger and Don A. Buckalew in 1965.
Top, right: The Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet Dealership.
Below: Mr. Weisinger receiving award for Twenty-Five Continuous Years as a
Chevrolet Dealer.
Since 1939 the Chevrolet franchise in Conroe has been
represented by two Montgomery County natives. These
two men, namely W. B. Weisinger and Don A. Buckalew,
not only have represented an established merchandiser,
Chevrolet Motor Division, but both come from families
whose names have been well established in Montgomery
County for many, many years.
Weisinger opened his own Chevrolet agency in Conroe
during March 1939 when Weisinger Chevrolet opened its
doors in a building at the corner of North Frazier and
Phillips Street. The original Chevrolet Dealership location
had a total of 3,600 square feet divided between service and
parts department, offices, and showrooms. There was a total
of five employees, and during the first year from March to
December, Weisinger Chevrolet delivered a total of sixty
new vehicles. The Chevrolet franchise grew in size, sales,
and employees. As the times changed and the growth of
Conroe continued, Weisinger decided to take on a partner
and relinquish the active management of the dealership to
a younger man with experience in the automotive business.
In January 1965, a native of Magnolia joined
W. B. Weisinger in the firm becoming Weisinger-Buckalew
Chevrolet, Inc., after its new partner, Don A. Buckalew.
Buckalew is the son of the late L. A. Buckalew and
Nellie Mae Buckalew, and graduated from Magnolia High
School in 1952 as valedictorian of his senior class.
Buckalew started in the automobile business in Tomball
with Hohl Motor Company in 1957, serving as a salesman
and later as sales manager prior to him assuming the
sales managers position at Robbins Chevrolet in Humble
in February 1960.
That the team of Weisinger-Buckalew clicked was never
more evident than in May 1967 when they opened a new
Chevrolet home for Conroe and Montgomery County at
1717 North Frazier. The new Weisinger-Buckalew Chevrolet
home provided a spread of buildings and equipment
covering more than eight acres of land with some 40,000
square feet of enclosed sales and service facilities. The grand
opening ceremony for this modern facility was celebrated
on July 27, 1967 with a formal open house and other
festivities. This truly was a culmination of a desire by
the two owners to provide the last word in service and
convenience to its customers plus a complete line of the
finest Chevrolet trucks and cars to the people in this area.
The two partners worked together not only to continue
a fine Chevrolet business, but they individually and
collectively made their mark on the community of Conroe
and Montgomery County as they served in many areas of
civic and service responsibilities. Both men were members
of the Conroe Noon Lions Club, directors of the Conroe
National Bank (later Allied Conroe Bank), and served
as president of the Conroe Montgomery County Chamber
of Commerce. Both Weisinger and Buckalew received
the Man of the Year Award for Conroe and Montgomery
County, with Weisinger receiving the inaugural in 1962
and Buckalew in 1967. They only differed on two issues of
any consequence: church and education. Weisinger was a
Methodist and graduated from Texas A&M University, and
Buckalew was a Baptist and graduated from Baylor University.
Weisinger remained an active partner until his death
in June 1973. The dealership remained Weisinger-Buckalew
Chevrolet, Inc., until January 1974, when Buckalew
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94

purchased the Weisinger interest from his widow and their
daughter, Winifred Ann Spencer. The name was changed to
Buckalew Chevrolet, Inc., in 1974 and has since operated
under that name. That year, Don Buckalew, Sr., truly saw
his goal of owning his own business become a reality.
Establishing the Buckalew Chevrolet name in 1974 was
accomplished with the same loyal family of employees who
had been with the company prior to 1974.
The opportunity was provided to build upon an already
outstanding record of accomplishment, leadership, service,
honesty, and integrity. Buckalew loved the automotive
industry and has been recognized as a leader throughout
his career. He served as chairman of the Texas Auto Dealers
Association (TADA) from 1985-1986. In 2008, he received
the TADA Legend Award. This distinction is for those who
have achieved at the highest level, who represent the best of
the best, whether it be as a car or truck dealer, a community
servant, a leader in education, or any of the other essential
areas of people’s lives where Texas dealers lead and serve.
It recognizes those dealers whose Lifetime of Achievement
has earned them the title of Legend. Buckalew was also the
recipient of the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award in 1987
and the Northwood Dealer Education Award in 1995.
The name Don Buckalew and community/civic service
have become synonymous throughout his sixty years in
the automotive industry. His leadership, organizational
skill, and common sense approach to innumerable public
projects and organizations is well known. He has a passion
for helping others and working in various activities and
organizations that enhance and promote opportunities for
young people.
Before coming to Conroe, in 1963 at the age of twentynine,
Buckalew was the youngest Lion’s Club District
Governor in the State of Texas, and his leadership with the
International Association of Lion’s Clubs was established.
Buckalew went on to serve as an elected Lions International
director from Texas in 1974-1976, and has been appointed
to the international board three times for one-year
terms. He is the recipient of the Ambassador of Good Will
Award, the highest honor one can receive from the
International Association. Buckalew was the chairman of
two USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forums in Denver,
Colorado, in 1981 and in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1982.
Buckalew has always been an advocate for public
schools. As a former president of the Conroe Independent
School District Board of Trustees, he helped lead the
district through a time of considerable growth with the
opening of eleven new schools, including one new high
school. Buckalew’s commitment to youth and devotion to
education was recognized by the Conroe Independent
School District on November 22, 1998, with the dedication
of the Don A. Buckalew Elementary School.
Buckalew was instrumental in transforming the
Montgomery County FFA and 4-H Club member’s junior
livestock and non-livestock auctions from a Chamber of
Commerce Committee project to the Montgomery County
✩
Above: The Don A. Buckalew Elementary School.
Below: Mr. Buckalew receiving a twenty-five years dealer award.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
95

✩
New Buckalew Chevrolet Dealership in 2009.
Fair Association in 1978, and served as the charter president
for four years. Today, this organization gives over $100,000
in scholarships to high school seniors in Montgomery
County annually. Buckalew continues to be active and
serve as a leader in this association.
Being one volunteer of some 33,000 volunteers with
the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is another example
of Buckalew’s love for young people. This remarkable
organization has provided scholarships for more than
16,000 Texas young people totaling $177 million dollars
since its inception. His involvement with this show covers
over forty-five years. He served as a vice president in
1992-1994 and has been a member of the Houston
Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee since 1996.
Respect for Buckalew’s leadership has been exhibited in
many other areas. He assisted with the formation of the
Greater Conroe Economic Development Council in 1997 and
served as its chairman for ten years. He is a past president
of the Montgomery County Hospital Board of Managers
and the inaugural president of the Conroe Area Youth
Baseball Association. He has coached Little League baseball
and Pee Wee football teams.
Buckalew Chevrolet is truly a family affair. Both sons,
Don “Donnie” Jr., and Denny, have been a part of Buckalew
Chevrolet since they were young boys and their father
could not be more proud. In articles published in
The Woodlands Online and Conroe Today in 2015, Donnie
recalled his time as a youngster spent playing with his
brother at Buckalew’s dealership. “Daddy would bring my
younger brother, Denny, and me to the dealership on
nights and weekends, and we can both still remember
running around the showroom and office,” he was quoted
as saying. “Our fun eventually transformed into afterschool
jobs, which included washing cars and cleaning
restrooms, and ultimately ended up with both of us working
full time for the dealership.”
Both sons are graduates and former athletes of Conroe
High School. In addition to earning bachelors of business
administration degrees from Baylor University, they are
active in supporting civic and charitable causes and serve in
places of responsibility in the community.
Currently, Donnie is a vice president and serves on
the executive committee of the Texas Automobile Dealers
Association. He is on the board of directors of First Financial
Bank and continues to be active in numerous charitable
causes. Donnie is well-known for his past leadership roles
as either president or chairman of the Houston Auto Dealer
Association, the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation,
the Montgomery County Community Foundation, the Conroe
Noon Lions Club, the Montgomery County Fair Association,
and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce.
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96

Denny has been associated with many activities related
to young people of all ages. He has served as a member of
the board of directors of the Conroe YMCA, Montgomery
County Youth Services, and Conroe Area Youth Baseball. He
is now a board member of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber
of Commerce and has a longtime record of service on the
board of the Conroe Parks and Recreation Department.
Denny is proud of his association with the Conroe Rotary
Club and his recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Two significant events have occurred in more recent
years. First, on December 16, 2008, Buckalew Chevrolet
opened a brand-new dealership on I-45 in Conroe. It covers
65,000 square feet on 9.3 acres and is state-of-the-art,
built to the specifications of a General Motors/Chevrolet
Image Facility. Now in its ninth year, it continues to be a
showplace that other dealers visit before starting their
own new dealership construction projects.
Secondly, Buckalew Chevrolet celebrated its fiftieth
anniversary on July 23, 2015, with a luncheon for employees,
elected officials, vendors, and representatives of General
Motors who presented a 50 Year Dealer Award to the
Buckalew family. As a special recognition to the employees
and a big thank-you to the community, the Buckalews
announced two Fifty for Fifty awards, $50,000 divided
between the employees according to seniority and a total of
$50,000 donated to seven community charities.
As Buckalew, Sr., reflected on fifty years, he noted his
store has grown in volume and stature and has become
recognized as a Metro Houston Dealership. He credits the
success of his business to his belief in supporting those
who support us and treating people with respect and great
service. He stated further, “I want to be a part of the good
things that occur in this city and county, and if there is a
problem—whether it be in business or the community—I
want to be a part of the solution and not the problem.”
As for the future, Buckalew, Sr., expects business as
usual with the customary peaks and valleys. He celebrated
his fortieth business anniversary by planning for the fiftieth.
Now that it has come and gone, he will pass the task on
to his sons to work on the sixtieth.
In 2017 the ownership and management continue to be
family. Buckalew, Sr., at age eighty-three, is still active with
a semi-retired presence. Donnie and Denny are part owners
and involved in the daily operation. They are proud of the
fact that ninety-nine percent of the time, any customer can
talk face-to-face with a member of the family.
The Buckalew family is grateful for their many blessings
of encouragement and support from friends, neighbors, and
residents in the Conroe, Montgomery County, North Houston,
and Harris County areas.
Buckalew Chevrolet is located at 1100 1-45 South at
Gladstell in Conroe. For more information, please visit their
website at www.buckalewchevrolet.com.
Editor’s Note: The information provided from 1939-1974
was first published in Montgomery County History 1981,
compiled and edited by the history book committee of
Montgomery County Genealogical Society, Inc., Conroe, Texas.
✩
Above: The Buckalew family cuts the ribbon at the 50th Year celebration.
On July 23, 2015, representatives of General Motors presented a 50 Years
Dealer Award to the Buckalew family.
Below: Left to right: Don, Donnie and Denny Buckalew.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
97

HOMEWOOD SUITES
BY HILTON ®
HOUSTON-WOODLANDS
✩
Top: Full complimentary hot breakfast is available daily.
Bottom: A business center and conference room is available 24 hours a day.
Opposite, top: Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston-Woodlands is located at
29813 I-45N in Woodlands, Texas.
Opposite, bottom: We offer a pool and patio for our guest to unwind.
Located in the fast-growing hub of The Woodlands,
thirty minutes north of Houston, Homewood Suites by
Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands, offers an oasis conducive to
both productivity and relaxation. Visitors of the extended
stay hotel may choose from ninety-one 500-plus square foot
suites with studios and one- and two-bedroom options with
fully-equipped kitchens.
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands
provides more than just the basics, making it the perfect
home away from home for everyone—be it the vacationing
family, the guest seeking relaxation and pampering,
or the busy professional in town for work.
Guests wake to freshly-brewed coffee and a local
weekday newspaper, and have the option of ordering
room service or dining on a hearty, healthy breakfast
offered daily. Homewood Suites has a 24-hour fitness
center with indoor and outdoor equipment and
a 24-hour business center with fax machine, photo
copying services, and printers. A basketball court
and swimming pool are located at the hotel, with a
park trail is accessible behind it. Pets can stay too,
for a non-refundable fee of $125.
Room amenities include spacious separate
sleeping and living areas; king or queen beds, and
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98

full-sized sofa beds; a kitchen complete with a refrigerator,
microwave, dishwasher, and eating utensils; as well as
complimentary Wi-Fi and two 37-inch LCD flat-screen
televisions per suite with 100, mostly high-definition,
premium cable channels. Guests may upgrade to a twobedroom
suite with three televisions and a fireplace.
Premium Internet access is available, wherein guests may
upload more photos, stream high-definition movies, and
partake in online gaming at three times the speed of standard
Internet access.
Located just eighteen miles from Bush Intercontinental
Airport, Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands
strives to provide each guest with all the comforts of
home—and more! In addition to a reception area
that can accommodate 150 guests and meeting rooms
with a capacity for forty people, the hotel offers a 24-hour
onsite convenience store and free grocery shopping
service. A complimentary shuttle transports guests within
a five-mile radius of the hotel, to locations such as The
Woodlands Mall. Families can enjoy the hotel’s provision
of complimentary children’s activities and video rentals,
high chairs, and playpens. Other amenities include baggage
storage, complimentary beverage area, coin laundry, laundry/valet
service, luggage hold, a gift shop, safety deposit
box, and a friendly, multilingual staff.
Guests staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-
Woodlands for business will appreciate the proximity to
Cynthia Woods Pavilion, Legends Sport Complex, CISD
Natatorium, Main Event Entertainment, Wet’n’Wild
SplashTown, Tournament Players Course, and Old Town
Spring, as well as companies including Anadarko Oil,
Exxon/Mobil headquarters, Entergy, Chicago Bridge &
Iron, Huntsman Chemical, Halliburton, Newfield Oil, and
Bayer Material Science. After a long day of work—or play—
the hotel also provides complimentary wine or beer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
99

✩
Top: Enjoy the big screen available in all of the suites.
Bottom: Enjoy access to a 24-hour fitness center.
to guests during its evening social, available Monday
through Thursday.
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands has
suites designed to accommodate everyone, no matter their
access needs. The hotel offers accessible suites intended
to make guests with physical challenges, and their families,
more comfortable. These suites include the amenities available
in the hotel’s standard suites and have entry doors that
are thirty-two inches in width. The business center,
concierge desk, exercise facility, parking, public entrance,
and registration desk are all accessible for physically
challenged guests and visitors. Furthermore, assistive listening
devices are available for meetings upon request, as are
closed captioning on televisions and closed captioning
decoders. Transportation also is available with notice.
Guest check-in is 3 p.m. and checkout is noon. Early
check-in or late checkout is available upon request, if
accommodations are available.
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands’
amenities are designed to keep guests secure and content
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100

while also leaving money in their
wallets. The hotel offers all active and
retired military, as well as their families,
a fifteen percent discount. AARP members
can also enjoy ten percent off their stay.
Hilton Honors members also save. Guests
can get the lowest price available, as well as
exclusive offers, when booking direct.
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-
Woodlands offers a warm, inviting atmosphere,
plethora of amenities, prime location,
and customer service that is second to none.
The hotel’s TripAdvisor rating is
consistently high. Judith P. Clifton of
Virginia noted on the travel website: “Great
place to stay for one or many nights. The
suite configuration is very spacious and allows for
privacy and separation of work from other activity.
Breakfast and evening social are so convenient. Good
for a quick bite or beverage. Very good value. I will stay
at Homewood on my next personal road trip.” Another
guest, of Galveston, wrote: “I highly recommend this hotel.
I can’t say I have one complaint. They were very
accommodating and provided transportation to and from
the venue we were there for. The breakfast was more than
perfect!!” Perry F., of Dallas, wrote: “Guaranteed satisfaction
or your money back; that’s the way Homewood Suites
treats you. Friendly staff, housekeeping is wonderful,
maintenance is guaranteed, their breakfast is excellent, and
they love their customers.”
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® has more than 410 locations
in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Hilton brand has
more than 550 hotels and resorts in six continents including
Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Canopy, DoubleTree, Embassy
Suites, Home2 Suites, Homeward by Hilton, Tru by Hilton,
Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tapestry Collection,
Hilton Grand Vacations, and Curio.
For more information on Homewood Suites by Hilton ®
Houston-Woodlands, visit them at 29813 I-45 North, in The
Woodlands, Texas, or call 281-681-9199. Check room and
rate availability at www.homewoodsuites3hilton.com.
✩
Top: Choose from our many different room styles.
Bottom: Every suite comes with a kitchenette.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
101

LONE STAR COLLEGE
✩
Right: Lone Star College offers a world class education at a fraction of the
cost of attending a four-year university.
Below: Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to
student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer
and workforce education/career training programs.
In the 1970s, Houston was booming and construction of
what is now George Bush Intercontinental airport played a
pivotal role developing the growth north of Houston and the
need for a community college. Voters in Aldine, Spring and
Humble agreed, and in 1972, North Harris Junior College
District was born.
The first college classes—with 613 students—were held at
Aldine High School in 1973. Soon North Harris was joined
by Kingwood College in 1984, Tomball College in 1986 and
Montgomery College in 1995 to become the North Harris
Montgomery Community College District, laying the groundwork
for a new multi-campus approach to serve the people of
our communities in Harris and Montgomery Counties.
Thanks to the early success, eight more independent
school districts—New Caney, Tomball, Conroe, Willis,
Splendora, Klein, Cypress-Fairbanks and Magnolia—joined
the college district, helping it reach even more students.
As Houston welcomed in the twenty-first century,
residents of CyFair welcomed Lone Star College-CyFair
in 2003, the fifth Lone Star College, helping to meet the
educational needs of a rapidly-growing area. In 2008 the
North Harris Montgomery Community College District became
Lone Star College to better reflect the growing college system.
Lone Star College purchased the former home of Compaq
Computer to create Lone Star College-University Park,
which was renovated from a corporate to college facility
becoming the sixth college in 2010.
LSC continues to grow—from 613 students taking classes
in a single high school to more than 95,000 students attending
classes in fall 2015. It is the largest institution of higher
education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing
community colleges in the nation. Students rely on Lone
Star College for associate degrees, certifications for work in
high-demand industries and academic credits that enable
them to transfer anywhere.
Today Lone Star College plays a major role in the regional
economy, adding $3.1 billion in economic impact directly
into the local community each year. Nearly ninety-one
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102

percent of LSC students stay in
the area after attending Lone Star
College—their enhanced skills help
lead to higher regional income and
a more robust economy.
Lone Star College continues to
expand and redefine the community
college experience by offering an
Honors College program, allowing
students to study abroad and earn
honors degrees. LSC also gives high
school students the opportunity
to earn college credit while still
in high school, saving them time and money.
The number one goal of Lone Star College is the
success of its students. LSC is consistently recognized as
a Top 10 producer of associate degrees nationally by
Community College Week magazine and was designated a Top
25 College for Hispanics by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher
Education magazine.
It is estimated that sixty-five percent of all jobs will require
some post-secondary training by 2020. LSC understands
a strong workforce equals a strong community, which is
why it is building new technology centers to address the
needs of the manufacturing, energy, transportation, logistics,
computer information, and process lab technology industries.
Lone Star Corporate College partners with global corporations
to provide customized training, open enrollment
courses and professional seminars. Lone Star Corporate
College focuses on the energy, computer technology and
advanced manufacturing sectors, but can also provide
training for retail, hospitality, school districts, healthcare
organizations, nonprofits and many other industries.
Working alongside the International Association of Drilling
Contractors, the National Association of Manufacturers, the
Greater Houston Partnership and the Houston Energy
Collaborative, LSC provides students complete outcomebased,
job-related and industry-approved programs, helping
keep our local economy strong.
Lone Star College is proud to serve the citizens of
Montgomery County and looks forward to a bright and
prosperous future as a member of this community!
✩
Left: The Honors College at Lone Star College offers high-achieving students
the opportunity to improve their college transcripts and participate in study
abroad programs.
Bottom, left: Lone Star College is continually recognized as a Top 10
producer of associate degrees by Community College Week magazine.
Below: Lone Star College is redefining the community college experience to
promote student success and economic prosperity.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
103

CONSOLIDATED
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Consolidated Communications, Inc. (CCI) is a leading
business and broadband communications provider that
offers advanced communication solutions to residential
and business customers across its fiber-rich network, a
swath that includes California, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois,
Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Wisconsin. CCI offers a wide range of
services including residential digital television, high-speed
Internet, phone, home automation, and security services,
as well as commercial solutions that provide businesses of
all sizes with voice, IP, managed and hosted services,
data connectivity, equipment solutions, and cloud services.
The company is dedicated to listening to its customers
and consistently meeting expectations with forethought and
flexibility while delivering reliable services and exceptional
customer care. CCI prides itself in being responsive and
local, and is proud to have strong ties in the communities
it serves in capacities such as employee volunteerism,
company sponsorships, and philanthropic giving.
CCI (Nasdaq:CNSL) has a long history of providing reliable
communications solutions and local support throughout
its service area. Its vision is to be the preferred choice of
communications solutions by delivering a better customer
experience and investing in people and technology. Its mission
is to turn technology into solutions, connect people,
and enrich how they work and live.
CCI operates in accordance with its values, which
guide its actions as it fulfills responsibilities to customers,
employees, investors, business partners, and communities.
Those values include, first and foremost, integrity. Honesty,
accountability, and transparency are essential to building
relations with each other, customers, and the communities
served. CCI’s culture is built on trust, as well as delivering on
promises to customers and investors. Secondly, the company
believes people truly do make the difference, and employees
are the cornerstone of CCI’s success. The company is
committed to providing meaningful, challenging work
and opportunities for professional growth in a positive
environment. Thirdly, the company aims to deliver a better
experience to its customers, putting their needs first and
exceeding their expectations with every interaction, both
internally and externally. Fourth, CCI focuses on evolving
and improving to stay ahead of customers’ needs. Next,
the company strives to build a stronger community. Through
company giving, supporting employee volunteerism,
and broadband infrastructure investment, CCI makes
communities better places to work and live. Finally, CCI
celebrates successes, demonstrating appreciation for one
another and customers, and fostering camaraderie to
strengthen the team and build a fun, positive culture.
CCI was founded in 1894 by Dr. Iverson A. Lumpkin, a
Mattoon, Illinois, dentist who believed that a communications
network encompassing telephone lines and paved roads
was vital to the growth of rural Illinois. While earlier attempts
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to provide telephone service to Mattoon had failed, Lumpkin
succeeded with Mattoon Telephone Company, which—by
the end of the nineteenth century—was serving more than
400 customers and employing 10 operators and 3 linemen.
Around the same time CCI was founded in Illinois, telephone
service began in Lufkin, Texas, when Dr. Alexander
Madison Denman and Judge Edwin James Mantooth of Lufkin
connected their offices with the city’s first telephone line. By
1900, Denman, Mantooth and investor Eli Weiner opened
a one-room telephone office with a forty-line switchboard
to serve the city, creating the Lufkin Telephone Exchange.
The Conroe Communications Company later purchased
the Lufkin Telephone Exchange, and in 1908 it contracted
with the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company
to provide long-distance services. Conroe Communications
Company was purchased by Lufkin Telephone Exchange
owners in 1929, who then incorporated it as Conroe
Telephone Company and operated it as Lufkin’s sister company.
In 1963 the company purchased Alto Telephone Company.
In 1985 the corporation was reorganized as the Lufkin-Conroe
Telephone Exchange, which included Lufkin, Conroe and Alto
service areas. In 1997, Lufkin-Conroe became a subsidiary
of TXU Communications, which was later purchased by
Consolidated Communications in April 2004.
The company grew to be the fifth largest non-Bell telephone
company in Texas and the twenty-second largest in
the nation. It provided service to Lufkin, Central, Wells,
Alto, Etoile, Fuller Springs, Diboll, Hudson, Apple Springs,
Conroe, Lake Conroe, Montgomery, Walden, Cut N Shoot,
Grangerland and Riverbook. It was also innovative, being
the first in the U.S. to install technologies such as the IBM
System 7 in 1973 and the first to install Northern Telecom
DNS-100/200 digital switching combination in 1980.
CCI was the first to bring Internet Protocol television to
the area, providing consumers a better choice for television
service. IPTV is delivered over the phone line, which gives a
crystal clear, high-definition picture. CCI brought HD-quality
television to the area before local stations were required to
offer their signal in HD. In 2015, CCI launched 1 gigabit
residential Internet service across its fiber network in the
Houston area market.
CCI prides itself on its long-standing tradition of giving
back to the communities it serves. Its dedicated employees
volunteer with a variety of programs and organizations
that make a difference and strengthen local communities. In
2015, Consolidated employees volunteered more than 37,000
hours, and the company contributed more than $1.3 million
to support community programs and nonprofit organizations.
CCI is headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois. The local office
in Conroe is 350 South Loop 336 West. For more information
about CCI, visit www.consolidated.com or follow them on
social media at consolidated.com/social.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
105

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
POST 4709
In 1962, local veterans seeking to recreate the camaraderie
and fellowship they experienced during their time in the
military founded Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, Post 4709. The organization, a nonprofit funded
entirely by tax-deductible donations, has become one of the
premiere posts in the world. VFW Post 4709 continues to
live up to the VFW motto: “No one does more for veterans.”
Raymond B. Davis was the post’s first commander.
Other charter members include Raymond B. Davis,
G. F. Glasstetter, Tom J. Adams, Robert L. Anderson,
Lloyd E. Bowman, Noble Capps, Thomas E. Gentry,
F. L. Crowe, Ollis Jeff Helton, Jack Hickman, Marshall
Hellerman, W. T. Hooper, George M. Hope, Joe D. Ivy,
Fred Lamp, Emerence L. Mack, Joel C. Mann, William P.
McLaughlin, George W. Morris, Lester Noble, T. W. Oliver,
J. D. Ovalline, E. D. Reding, Mike Senor, Douglas
Storer, Leo H. Terry, O. G. Williams, Walter Enos, and
Salvador Rodriguez.
The required membership of twenty-two requested a
charter from the National Veterans of Foreign Wars. The
charter was granted on October 30, 1962, in Conroe, Texas,
received the designation of VFW Post 4709. According to the
congressional charter, the purposes of VFW Post 4709 are
“fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational.”
They are “to preserve and strengthen comradeship among
its members; assist worthy comrades; perpetuate the memory
and history of our dead, and to assist their surviving
spouses and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the
government of the United States, and fidelity to its
Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain
and extend the institutions of American freedom; and to
preserve and defend the United States from all enemies.”
Each year, VFW Post 4709 donates $100,000 to veterans,
military, law enforcement, first responders, and schools
in Montgomery County. The post provides local veterans
weekly transportation to the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans
Hospital in Houston, and its Honor Guard every year
averages more than 200 functions, many of which are
military funeral honors.
Members of VFW Post 4709 visit hospitals and donate
socks and sweats to veterans who are recovering from
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106

injuries they suffered while serving their country. Members
also visit retirement homes to remind elderly veterans
that they have not been forgotten, and their sacrifices are
still very much appreciated. Other beneficiaries of the
post’s time and funds include the National VFW Home for
Children in Michigan, as well as veterans and their families.
With the post’s Veterans in the Classroom, VFW members
assist local teachers present to their students a variety
of American history lessons. Members serve as living
history, providing classrooms a presentation and questionand-answer
session. Depending on the lesson, the veteran
might bring memorabilia, uniforms, photos, and other
items to help teach the material.
VFW Post 4709’s elected officers, appointed officers,
committeemen, and volunteers work for and serve the
organization without pay or financial incentive. One
hundred percent of all money contributed to the post is
applied to furthering its work in helping others. The post
does not conduct mass mailings or phone solicitation,
nor does it employ professional fundraisers. The bulk of its
funds come from contributions from its own membership,
Auxiliaries, support members, and individuals who support
its mission of helping local veterans and their families.
All donations to the post qualify as charitable contributions.
VFW Post 4709 and VFW Auxiliary 4709 run a charitable
bingo operation in the VFW Hall. The canteen is located
nearby and is at the center of many post activities. Veterans
and auxiliary members watch sports on the canteen’s
televisions, enjoy adult beverages, food, karaoke, dancing,
and the company of other veterans and auxiliary members.
The canteen also provides a home away from home for
active duty and reserve military staying in the Conroe area.
As Montgomery County grows, so too does VFW Post
4709. In the past five years, the post has doubled in size,
serving more and more veterans each year. Locally, more
than 1,650 veterans are members of the organization. To
accommodate its growth, the post—with the help of the
city, local business owners, and individual donations—is
planning a large building expansion project.
VFW Post 4709 is located at 1303 West Semands Street
in Conroe. For more information, visit the post’s website at
www.vfw4709.org or call 936-756-7614.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
107

ABM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
✩
Right: Left to right, Joe, Neal and Mike Schwarzberger breaking ground for
the factory expansion in Montgomery, Texas.
Below: The Robo-Quilter Single Needle Quilting machine. The technology
was developed by ABM International, Inc., in 1995.
ABM International, Inc., is not afraid to blaze its own
trail. With more than seventy years in the quilting machine
manufacturing business, ABM International has developed
a reputation for engineering excellence at the most costeffective
prices, with customer service that is second
to none. ABM International offers a full line of quality
quilting machinery and accessories for buyers of all types
and skill levels—from industrial factories to professional
custom quilters to hobbyists.
ABM International, Inc., was founded as AB Mfg. Co. in
1933 by Arthur Schwarzberger. Arthur developed a simple
sewing technique for quilting machines that could cross over
sewing lines and refined this concept to include mechanical
track quilting machines for comforters, bedspreads, and mattresses.
Arthur’s company, which he started in his garage in
Chicago, Illinois, and named after his oldest son, Barry Shore,
soon began to grow. In 1947, he changed the company’s name
to ABM to include his second son, Michael. By this time,
the business had outgrown the family’s basement, so ABM
moved to a three-story building on the south side of Chicago.
Shortly thereafter, Arthur’s sons became involved in the
business and fueled its growth, expanding the type of equipment
manufactured and the markets serviced. By 1960, ABM
needed more manufacturing space and moved to Chicago’s
west side. Barry and Michael assumed full responsibility
for the company following their father’s untimely death.
ABM began harnessing high-tech methods during
the 1980s. Michael’s son, Neal, began working for the
company and the two worked together to develop a computerized
quilting machine named the XL. They also expanded
sales and marketing efforts overseas, changed the name
to ABM International, Inc., and moved to a larger facility
in Niles, Illinois.
In 1995, ABM began the development of a revolutionary
new vertical quilting machine called the Robo Quilter—fully
patented and the first of its kind. After its introduction to the
market in 1997, sales soared and ABM became the world leader
in quilting technology, surpassing all its European competitors.
Tragically, in 2003 the United States lifted the quota limits
on home textile products, and ABM’s domestic customer
base was destroyed, forcing sales to plummet sixty percent.
Fortunately, the company’s overseas initiatives paid off
and those increased machine sales buoyed it to continued
success. At that time, ABM determined it needed to reduce
shipping costs in order to better support international trade
and the company relocated from Chicago to a port city
where the cost of inland freight could be eliminated.
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108

During the globalization and great
recession of the twenty-first century, ABM’s
management team decided to diversify the
company. They took the world-renowned
industrial quilting machine manufacturer into
the home quilting consumer market with the
introduction of the Innova ® quilting system.
ABM’s long arm free motion quilting machine
has come to represent engineering excellence
and beautiful design. ABM also offers a full
line of accessories, including the AutoPilot
computerized quilting robotics system,
Lightning Stitch digital servo stitch regulator,
and Ecording automatic couching foot,
along with a plethora of others available on
the company’s website.
ABM’s quilting machines are not just remarkable—they
are designed for superior performance and longevity. This
is because they meet the company’s exacting standards
in terms of quality and reliability. The result—high
performance meets outstanding everyday practicality
and breathtaking dynamics fused with exceptional usability
and stitching perfection.
However, ABM’s customer service department is its most
significant and proudest achievement. The department
strives for 100 percent customer satisfaction, whether by
telephone twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, or
door-to-door. By providing the home market a superior,
high-tech machine with more choices and top-notch
customer service, ABM International and the Innova ® are
setting the industry standard.
Today, ABM International, Inc., is run by Neal
Schwarzberger, Arthur’s grandson and Michael’s son.
Neal has acquired several U.S. patents of his own and is
responsible for the invention of the world’s first vertical
quilting machine, the Robo Quilter. The Robo Quilter is
the most significant advancement in the quilting industry
since Arthur founded the company with his own invention
more than a half century ago.
ABM International, Inc., continues to operate by the same
principles and values upon which it was founded. Those
standards are evidenced in everything for which—and
whom—the company comes in contact, from the machines
and accessories to the customer utilizing them. ABM’s
standards are sky-high, but the company consistently meets
them, all while striving to improve. As a result, ABM is
raising the industry standard again and again. With quality
dealers, festival visibility, show classrooms, and technological
advancements, ABM’s long-term goal is to provide the
number one selling long arm quilting machine by 2020.
ABM International, Inc., is headquartered in Montgomery,
Texas. For more information on the company or any of
its products, please visit at www.abminternational.com or
www.innovalongarm.com.
✩
Left: From left to right, Neal Schwarzberger, his youngest daughter, Madison,
Mike Schwarzberger and Neal’s brother-in-law, Joe.
Below: Left to right, Mike and Neal Schwarzberger and Barry Shore.
Bottom: Employees inside the ABM International, Inc. factory.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
109

LAKE CONROE ASSOCIATION
Like many nonprofit organizations, the Lake Conroe
Association (LCA) was created to address a need in the
community. Soon after Lake Conroe’s construction in 1973,
an unwanted aquatic weed named Hydrilla appeared and
threatened the life of the lake, covering 100 percent of
the shoreline and more than 40 percent of the lake’s
entire surface. Efforts and funds to combat the invasion
were needed outside of the state agencies responsible for
the lake and, thankfully, a group of volunteers led by
Dana Richardson, Jr., rose to the occasion. The volunteers
raised and donated more than $900,000 from the
public, and in 1983, nearly eradicated Hydrilla from
Lake Conroe.
With a healthy Lake Conroe, the LCA enjoyed limited
responsibilities until Hydrilla again appeared in 2004,
along with its invasive sisters, Giant Salvinia and Water
Hyacinth. After almost thirty years as president, Richardson
passed the LCA presidency on to Mike Bleier in 2005.
Bleier remains the organization’s president today. From
2005 to 2008, LCA volunteers raised more than $600,000;
created a 50/50 matching program with the San Jacinto
River Authority (SJRA); and contributed more than
$480,000 to SJRA to combat more than 2,000 surface
acres of invasive vegetation on Lake Conroe. By 2008,
Hydrilla had again been eliminated, and Giant Salvinia and
Water Hyacinth were under control.
The LCA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that
educates and informs residents and businesses on issues
affecting the use and enjoyment of Lake Conroe. Volunteers
staff the organization, and fewer than three percent of
funds raised each year are spent on administrative costs
(primarily insurance and a bi-annual audit.) The LCA
has evolved into many areas affecting the lake community
outside of controlling invasive vegetation. A partial
summary of programs in which the organization has been
involved include:
• Public Forum in 2006 at Del Lago (now La Torretta)
discussing lake issues and invasive vegetation, an event
attended by more than 800 residents.
• Forum Luncheon in 2007 at Walden discussing invasive
vegetation, attended by elected state representatives,
elected city and county representatives, SJRA, Texas
Parks & Wildlife, Sam Houston National Forest, Lone
Star Groundwater Conservation District, Chamber of
Commerce, and Visitor & Convention Bureau.
• Question and Answer Survey consisting of fourteen
questions regarding the then-proposed construction of
a water treatment plant on Lake Conroe and its effect
on lake levels and the local economy. The association
received 2,565 written responses and submitted the
results to the elected officials attending the Montgomery
County Water Summit in September 2009.
✩
Bottom, left and right: White Amur, before and after.
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110

• Invited participant in Montgomery County’s committee to
review the SJRA water treatment plant proposal and its
effects on lake levels. After Montgomery County elected to
engage Texas A&M University to independently review the
same, the LCA became the lead donor of the project and
contributed $69,000 of the $152,000 study cost in 2010.
• Submitted Public Comments to the Region H Water
Planning Group in 2011 regarding long-term water
planning for the area.
• During the drought of 2012, the association gained
permission from SJRA and Texas Parks & Wildlife to
remove 450 dangerous tree stumps in the main body of
Lake Conroe and solely funded the $39,000 cost.
• Since 2006, founding members of Lake Conroe Advisory
Group (LCA, SJRA, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and angling
organizations), discussed native and invasive plants,
fish health, and overall lake management.
• Since 2014, founding members of SJRA Watershed
Protection Plan Committee, created a written program
to maintain the cleanliness and overall health of
Lake Conroe.
• Key local communicator in fighting the proposed 2016
sale of land in the Sam Houston National Forest for oil
and gas exploration around and under Lake Conroe.
With the assistance of Clean Water Action and the Center
for Biological Diversity, the organization successfully
removed this land from sale by the Federal Bureau of
Land Management.
In a current project, the LCA is very proud of assisting the
Montgomery County Constable’s Lake Division by funding
the $4,975 purchase of communication equipment, allowing
the rescue team on the boat to communicate with the divers
in the water. This equipment will not only aid in locating
victims in the lake, but also increase safety for constable
divers in Lake Conroe.
Going forward, the LCA sees itself deeply involved in
discussion, education, and funding related to invasive zebra
mussels being identified in more Texas lakes. The LCA
hopes it will not see this problem on Lake Conroe but
believes a proactive approach is warranted.
Individuals and businesses become LCA members by
donating $100 or $200, respectively. The organization does
not charge annual dues and asks its members to contribute
only when a worthy cause presents itself and LCA funds
are diminished. The LCA is always looking for individuals
who would like to join the LCA Board, which meets every
other month.
For more information regarding the LCA, please visit
www.lakeconroeassociation.com. Should you desire to
join the LCA and/or make a tax-deductible contribution,
please send to: Lake Conroe Association, P.O. Box 376,
Willis, Texas 77378-9998.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
111

SOULES INSURANCE AGENCY
✩
Above: Left to right, Partners Richard “Dick” Coyle and John C. Husbands.
Below: Management team of Stephen Smith, Kammie Enloe and
Warner Phelps.
Since its founding over seventy years ago, Soules Insurance
Agency has had at its heart its customers. It is not easy to
stay in business for such a long time, but if the goal is to
assure not just the sale is made, but the customer’s needs are
met, then it is no wonder we are still here and continuing to
grow to serve a thriving community.
As an agency, we act as trusted advisors to both businesses
and individuals with both personal and commercial coverages.
We represent multiple companies and can intercede for our
clients finding appropriate property, casualty, life, and health
insurance that they need to protect their financial assets.
Conroe and Montgomery County were quite a distance
from Houston in 1947, but Oren and Mary Dee Soules had
the vision to open an independent insurance agency able to
offer coverages to both personal and commercial customers.
As their business grew, so did their ability to access the
companies and coverages best suited to each person that
walked through their doors.
By the early 1970s, Soules had grown enough to add another
producer. Richard (Dick) Coyle had attended Texas A&M and
the University of Houston before serving in the U.S. Army as a
helicopter pilot and instructor. Dick entered the field of insurance
with the Prudential Insurance Company, but met Oren
through their common interest in flying, and was persuaded to
join the agency. Dick has never been satisfied to simply sell
insurance; he wants to “take part” in a host of community and
state-wide organizations. His involvement has included serving
as fund drive chair and president of the Montgomery County
United Way, and president of the Conroe Rotary Club. In The
Woodlands, he has served on the board of MUD 46 and as
trustee of the Joint Powers Agency. He was on the Private
Industry Council of HGAC, and has also served as a trustee of
the University of the Americas in Mexico City. Of course, since
the outset, Dick has been a member of the Independent
Insurance Agents of Texas and of Montgomery County.
When Dick joined Soules, the agency had already established
a reputation for being ready and available to assist our
clients, even in the worst of circumstances including hurricanes
and disasters such as fires or floods. There was even a
time when one of our customers purchased an ad in the local
Courier saying: “We would like to thank you and your staff for
the excellent and timely service during the recent freeze damage
to our home during the Christmas holidays. Only a local,
concerned agent handling our claim promptly and professionally
could have allowed us to complete our repairs immediately
and start the New Year on a positive note!” To continue this
effort, Soules has recently installed an on-site generator,
another investment in our commitment to claims service.
It was not long until Soules had outgrown the office in the
bank and decided to build a two-story office building in downtown
Conroe at 701 North San Jacinto. The staff grew quickly
to include more agents and customer service representatives
and has also stayed on the cutting edge with developments in
technology. In 1976, Soules was one of the first agencies in the
area to install an in-house computer system, which helped to
speed up processing of business and claims. When Mary Dee
and Oren decided to retire, Dick purchased the agency from
them but retained the name, signifying that nothing would
change. The customer would continue to be at the center of
each coverage considered, and of each policy sold.
Soules has always been dedicated to their customers in
times of natural disasters. To continue this effort, an on-site
generator has been installed at their office. This addition is
an investment to the claim service commitment Soules has
always had for their customers.
Since the agency’s founding, continuing education has
been integral to our way of doing business. Even before it
was required, we insisted that our agents and staff constantly
update their knowledge in different aspects of the field. Dick
earned his chartered life underwriter designation in 1975
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112

and became an accredited advisor in insurance in 1985.
Each producers holds one or more professional designations
and several employees are accredited customer service
representatives. Ours is a business that changes constantly,
so it is important we keep up, but what never changes is our
emphasis on knowing our customers, and also knowing the
companies and coverages that suit the requirements of each
home, family and business.
In 1980 the agency expanded into the rapidly developing
planned community south of Conroe, The Woodlands. Our
Panther Creek office, headed by Linda Ricketts, was critical to
our growth as Montgomery County transitioned from its
rural East Texas roots to a thriving suburban development
demanding a myriad of commercial and personal insurance
coverages: With such growth, we have added principals
and staff that have been loyal to our clients and customers
for decades. John Husbands joined the sales staff in 1996
and has become a partner in the agency. A graduate of the
University of Texas, John specializes in business planning and
estate planning as well as writing large commercial accounts.
While at Soules, John has earned his CLTC and CIC designations
and is an active member and past president of both the
Conroe and Lake Conroe Rotary Clubs. He has served on the
board of the Conroe Independent School District since 2004
and was elected president for 2015-2017. Devoted to family,
church, and community, John also finds time for hunting and
developing property he now owns in Central Texas.
Kammie Enloe came to Soules as a CSR in 1989. Her aptitude
for the business was obvious and she easily assumed
the role of personal lines supervisor and eventually operations
manager. Kammie’s knowledge of insurance coupled
with her aptitude for the technology necessary to an agency
such as ours has made her an invaluable asset. She is also
someone who can inspire the staff to put the customer first,
insisting on the attention to detail that carefully matches
each client to the insurance coverage needed. Kammie is
devoted to her family and her church and is especially committed
to her daughter’s high school band activities.
Marketing Manager Warner Phelps has earned the
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist designation. He graduated
in Finance from Abilene Christian University and later
earned his MBA from Sam Houston State. His expertise with
both insurance and technology makes him a great support
for both our agents and account managers. Warner
is very active in the Conroe Noon Lions Club, and enjoys
mentoring students at local public schools.
Our newest leader is Stephen B. Smith, CPCU. Now executive
vice president of Soules, Stephen has more than thirty
years of experience in insurance agency management. He has
worked in large agencies throughout Texas and brings expertise
in guiding agents and employees as they grow professionally.
A graduate of Texas A&M, Stephen also has completed
graduate studies at UT Arlington and the Wharton Business
School Executive Program. He has been a member of the
Rotary Club in San Antonio, was president of the Preston
Center Rotary Club in Dallas, and is now a member of the
Rotary Club of The Woodlands. He has also served on more
than one insurance producer council as well as a board
member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston.
Each of these professionals provides innovative risk management
solutions for companies both large and small. The
industries we serve include construction, manufacturing,
technology, real estate, food, agribusiness, and political
subdivisions. Soules is now a part of Dean and Draper,
Insurance, LP, one of the largest agencies in Texas. We utilize
their resources to provide greater global reach. Dean and
Draper was recently recognized as one of the top 50 Elite
Agencies in the U.S. By “Insuring the Growth of Texas,”
we continue the Soules tradition of service and stewardship
to all of our clients.
✩
Above: Soules Insurance Agency building..
Below Company slogan “Insuring the growth of Texas TM .”
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
113

EAST MONTGOMERY
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
In 1997, a group of members from the Community
Chamber of Commerce (now the Greater East Montgomery
County Chamber of Commerce) held discussions on how to
enhance growth in the eastern area of Montgomery County,
Texas. Stifled by a lack of amenities and transportation
to other areas of the county, the group knew the area
along U.S. Highway 59 would remain stagnant without the
help of state legislators. The group went to Austin, and, with
the assistance of attorney Mike Page, of Schwartz, Page
and Harding, LLP, crafted Texas Senate Bill 921to allow the
creation of the East Montgomery County Improvement District.
EMCID was ratified by local voters to serve as a taxing
entity to develop and encourage economic and community
development and to promote educational opportunities to
residents in the eastern area of Montgomery County. EMCID
strategically looks at opportunities in retail, commercial and
industrial development and how they complement each
other. EMCID provides financial incentives to companies
that help create job opportunities, which spurs demand for
residential development and, in turn, brings more shopping
and dining experiences to the area—all of which improve
the quality of life for the community.
The district is governed by eight elected directors
who serve staggered four-year terms and oversee the
president/CEO. Seven additional staff members currently
handle EMCID’s needs concerning business and human
resources, communications and marketing, special events,
and maintenance. The board of directors and staff at
EMCID collaborate with state and county officials, business
and community leaders and local educational institutions
in a way to help ensure that the mission is being carried out
to the best of the organization’s abilities.
EMCID’s first board members appointed by County
Commissioner Jim Simmons until an election could be
held were: Connie Bloodworth, Leon Cubillas, Jim Deaton,
Stephen Head, Ann Tullis Metoyer, Chuck Schuetz,
Jerry Walters and Fred Wetz. Other key individuals and
organizations in EMCID’s early development included
David Marks, attorney; Joe Costanza, engineer; Mike Page,
attorney; U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas); Governor
Rick Perry; Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams;
State Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe); State Senator
Michael Galloway (R-Magnolia); State Senator Royce West
(D-Dallas); State Senator Tommy Williams (R-The
Woodlands); State Representative John Otto (R-Dayton);
County Commissioner Ed Rinehart; and the Community
Chamber of Commerce.
In 1998, EMCID’s board voted to provide community
development grants to nonprofit and government agencies
for projects within the EMCID boundaries. To date, the
program has disbursed more than $19 million to local fire
and police departments, the constable’s office, schools,
cities and local community service-oriented organizations.
In 2000 the board started a $1,000 scholarship program
available to graduates of New Caney and Splendora school
districts, private high schools and home-schooled students
within EMCID’s boundaries and to GED recipients.
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Realizing a need for someone to facilitate change and
growth, the board hired in 2002 Frank McCrady as
president/CEO to expand the scope of the district’s impact
on the community and implement smart growth strategies
for the future of East Montgomery County.
Under McCrady’s leadership and direction, EMCID’s
board in 2004 created the East Montgomery County
Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
as a tool to develop an endowment, which through additional
local community funding, will sustain the scholarship
program in the future. Over the years, the EMCSF expanded
the scholarship program to include an additional $500
merit-based scholarship and a $750 paid internship.
Also in 2004, the EMCID board created the East
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation,
a non-profit subsidiary separate from EMCID, to assist
with economic development plans by utilizing federal and
local funding sources, such as HUD and Community
Development Block Grant programs—monies for which
EMCID, as a government agency, would otherwise not be eligible.
The EMCEDC serves as a funding service to businesses
that want to expand or relocate to East Montgomery County.
Over the years, EMCID has played a pivotal role in
ensuring a better quality of life for residents in the area by
advocating for changes legislatively and through local
government that will ensure the district continues to be
a force for growth. EMCID was instrumental in keeping
the Grand Parkway on its current path, intersecting
U.S. Highway 59 at Community Drive in New Caney, and
successfully lobbying the designation of 59 as the Interstate
69 NAFTA Superhighway. Seeing an opportunity to recruit
industry to East Montgomery County following the
recruitment of the Walmart Distribution Center in 2002,
EMCID created the East Montgomery County Industrial
Park, which today encompasses nearly 500 acres of
improved land. EMCID’s board supported in 2004 the East
Montgomery County Restaurant Initiative, which allowed
alcohol to be served in restaurants and pushed for state
legislation to create a hotel/motel tax in 2007 to generate
funds to promote travel and tourism, as well as venue and
parking taxes and economic development zones in 2009.
These moves set up the district to attract retail developments
like the Valley Ranch Town Center—the largest development
in Texas in 2016—the Kroger Marketplace Shopping Center
in Porter, and a retail center in Splendora.
In 2014, EMCID’s board identified a greater need for better
communication with its constituents. Kelley Mattlage was
hired as communications director, resulting in the creation
of a quarterly newsletter that is mailed to more than 35,000
households and, through EMCID’s website and social media,
consistently updates on new economic developments and
community and educational opportunities.
Growth in the district is not only evident to those who
look around; it is measured by sales tax revenue. Revenue
has increased nearly 400 percent since its first full fiscal
year in 1999. Revenue collected that year was $1.7 million;
revenues exceeded $8.4 million in 2016.
EMCID will continue to expand the retail and commercial
business models for East Montgomery County. With the
accelerated growth and infrastructure improvements, it will
be necessary to address the issues associated with additional
residents moving to the area. Smart growth principles,
including recreational tourism, green space and park
space, like the splash pad parks EMCID constructed in
Roman Forest and Splendora, are examples of EMCID
planning for the future.
EMCID is located at 21575 U.S. Highway 59 North,
Suite 200 in New Caney; twenty miles northeast of downtown
Houston along Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59.
For more information, visit its website at www.emctx.com.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
115

EICKENHORST
FUNERAL SERVICES
✩
Above: Morris Eickenhorst, founder of Eickenhorst Funeral Services.
Below: The Eickenhorst Family shortly after opening in June of 2010.
Eickenhorst Funeral
Services opened their
doors in May of 2010
with a very simple yet
powerful vision: to provide
professional funeral
services for the citizens of
Montgomery County at
the most affordable cost
possible. Their plan to
help families honor their
loved ones without draining
their bank accounts
caught on quickly and Eickenhorst has served thousands of
families in the brief period since its grand opening.
The Eickenhorst family has lived, worked,
and served in Montgomery County for over
forty years, owning several businesses in the
area and serving the community through
various organizations and charities. Morris
Eickenhorst, founder of Eickenhorst Funeral
Services, owned a lumber company in Conroe
for many years, but always had a quiet calling
to serve the citizens of this county during
times of loss. Born and raised in Navasota,
Texas, Morris spent his younger years
performing odd jobs for a nearby funeral
home in exchange for the use of their garage
to practice with his musical band, Morris and
the Morticians. It was during this time of
service that his interest in the funeral industry
was born. Through his life that initial spark
never dulled and the opportunity finally arose
to achieve his dream of helping families
honor their loved ones at a reasonable price.
Together with his son, William Eickenhorst and an experienced
funeral director and embalmer in Houston, Jason
Landsman, they set out to make his dream a reality with a simple,
yet profound, idea to provide honorable, compassionate,
professional services by directors who truly cared about the
value of every dollar spent. This was exactly what they did.
The key to providing superior service at the lowest
possible price was mainly location. The three men knew
they must find the perfect location from which to operate,:
a place that contained everything needed and required
by law, but affordable enough to keep their overhead
expenses as low as possible. What they eventually decide to
call their funeral home was anything but ordinary.
When driving into the parking lot of Eickenhorst Funeral
Services, most will not see what they typically expect to find
at a traditional funeral home because the Eickenhorst family
chose a unique location. As opposed to a typical standalone
facility, Eickenhorst is part of an office complex of
other professional businesses. Their funeral home includes
all the necessary amenities found in a traditional funeral
home, just on a smaller scale. Their chapel provides more
than adequate space for visitations and funerals, but when a
family requires a larger space, Eickenhorst utilizes local
churches that are willing to open their doors to non-members
and other citizens who may not have a home church, or are
experiencing financial hardship. It is with these partnerships
in the religious community that Eickenhorst has found
incredible value in ministering to others in a time of need.
Location is important, but Eickenhorst Funeral Services
attributes their success mostly to the people who work
there. They lean heavily on the experience and professionalism
of the directors and other valuable people who assist
them with the services they provide. Everyone from the
crematory to the managing director are carefully selected
and chosen not only for their experience and skills, but for
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116

their heart and compassion for others. Everyone involved
with the funeral home sees the profession as more than just
a job; it is a calling and a ministry that provides a unique
opportunity to help the community during a very difficult
time. It is because of this important aspect, above all else,
that Eickenhorst serves the community so effectively.
Beyond the people and location, Eickenhorst finds value
and joy in serving the community in many ways. Be it
calling Bingo at the local nursing home, serving the elderly
community at Senior Citizens Day at the Montgomery
County Fair, or being involved in charitable organizations
such as the Rotary Club and Conroe Noon Lions Club,
each employee at Eickenhorst is encouraged to get involved
in the community and take the time to serve others beyond
just their funeral needs.
This concept of community service, keeping operational
expenses low, and putting in place simple operational
procedures, while emphasizing care and customer service
and utilizing community churches for large funerals, has
been embraced by much of the community. In just six years
of business, Eickenhorst
has served thousands of
families, growing consistently
almost each year.
But do not be mistaken,
Eickenhorst is not a
discount funeral home.
They provide exemplary
customer service and
can direct the simplest
to the most complex of
funerals. They just do so
at a lower cost than
most of the other funeral
homes in the area.
Sadly, shortly after Eickenhorst Funeral Services opened,
their founder, Morris, was diagnosed with cancer. He fought
hard, but lost the battle after nineteen months. William and
Jason carried on the tradition and helped the funeral home
become what it is today. Now, Morris’ youngest son, Jacob,
has joined the staff and become a valuable addition to the
workforce at Eickenhorst. It is truly a family business that is
ready to serve the families of Montgomery County during
their most difficult of times.
The Eickenhorst family has not changed its original
vision and it continues to treat this business as a ministry.
Now, as they have become established and look to the
future and the next steps to take in their journey, they
look to their founder for encouragement and guidance.
As Morris once said, “Share the Good News and a smile
every chance you get. Everyone, including yourself, will
be better off for it.” So, that is what one will find
at Eickenhorst Funeral Services: a friendly smile, a
compassionate embrace, and the love of family.
✩
Above: Left to right, sons of Morris and funeral directors, Jacob and
William Eickenhorst.
Left: Manager, funeral director and embalmer, Jason Landsman. He helped
the Eickenhorst family open the funeral home and has been with them from
the beginning.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
117

THE WOODLANDS
DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
A Division of The Howard Hughes Corporation ®
The Woodlands is the natural choice. Ranked as one
of the best-selling master planned communities in
Texas and the nation, The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre,
forested development located twenty-seven miles north of
downtown Houston on Interstate 45. The Woodlands is an
award-winning community, which stays true to its vision of
creating a “live, work, play and learn” environment.
Living is at its best in The Woodlands with a variety of
new homes from traditional single-family residences to
townhomes, multifamily and urban living.
The Woodlands thrives on recreation with seven championship
golf courses, over 140 parks, more than 209 miles
of hike-and-bike trails, community pools and splash pads
and numerous tennis courts. Kayaking and water sports
are just a paddle away at the Lakes Edge Boat House on
Lake Woodlands and the Riva Row Boat House at The
Woodlands Waterway. Fitness facilities are also abundant
in this community.
Grab your bike or even walk as an alternative to travel to
work. The Woodlands is home to over 2,100 businesses and
corporations, providing jobs for more than 64,000 people.
New corporations can move into additional Class A office
or build-to-suit spaces.
The Woodlands offers convenient shopping experiences
at upscale boutiques and national brand leaders. You
can shop in The Woodlands Town Center at destinations
including Hughes Landing, The Woodlands Mall and
Market Street or at neighborhood village centers. Nearby
residents enjoy walking to the new Creekside Park Village
Green where retail and restaurants surround a quaint
village park. Dining experiences are situated throughout
The Woodlands, ranging from casual to exquisite with over
200 restaurants to meet your culinary tastes.
Playing has never been more exciting and relaxing
than enjoying music from your favorite artist or a concert
from the Houston Symphony at The Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Pavilion, one of the top-ranked outdoor amphitheaters
in the world.
One of the best lifestyle intersections in The Woodlands
is Hughes Landing, an award-winning sixty-six-acre mixeduse
development on Lake Woodlands. Hughes Landing
seamlessly mixes retail, dining at Restaurant Row, living at
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the luxury One Lakes Edge apartments with a dog park,
working in one of five Class A office buildings and staying at
the Embassy Suites by Hilton with entertainment at Hughes
Landing Park, with band shell and boardwalk, creating a
dynamic destination, all in a walkable setting. The Lakes Edge
Boat House and sculptures can be found in Hughes Landing.
Learning is vital to this community with the highlyranked
Conroe, Magnolia and Tomball Independent School
Districts along with prestigious private schools like The
John Cooper School. Higher education is also available
with the Lone Star College System and Sam Houston State
University—The Woodlands Center.
Come visit The Woodlands today and call this premier
community home. The Woodlands—it is the natural choice.
For more information, visit TheWoodlands.com.
✩
Opposite, top: The Woodlands is a forested, master planned community
located north of downtown Houston.
Opposite, center: Fireworks are displayed over Hughes Landing on
Lake Woodlands during the Independence Day celebration.
Opposite, bottom: Hughes Landing is an award-winning, sixty-six acre
mixed-use development on Lake Woodlands offering a dynamic destination
for shopping, dining, entertainment, recreation, office, multifamily and
hotel stays.
Above: The Woodlands Town Center is located in the heart of the
community and provides shopping, dining, hotel accommodations, offices and
entertainment. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, a world-renowned
outdoor amphitheater, is located here.
Left: Retail, restaurants and service providers surround Creekside Park
Village Green in The Woodlands.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
119

PIZZA SHACK
✩
Top: John and Claudia Simmons with their supporters at the ribbon cutting
ceremony for the new Willis building in 1987.
Above: Michael Simmons making pizzas with his siblings, Lisa and Joseph,
and their uncle, Jim Simmons, working the pizza ovens in 1995.
Craving the American and Italian food they left behind
when they moved to Texas from the East Coast, the
Simmons and Kiely families introduced Italian cuisine to
Willis when they founded Pizza Shack in 1985. Today, the
business operates two locations in Willis and Montgomery
that specialize in Italian staples such as pasta, pizza, and
calzones made with top-of-the-line cheese. The restaurant
also offers a diverse menu that includes everything
from subs and sandwiches to soups and salads to
seafood, chicken, and steak. From the beginning, Pizza
Shack’s mission has been to create lifetime guests by
offering attentive service and consistently good food in a
welcoming atmosphere.
John and Claudia Simmons, along with their siblings
David, Glen, and Darren Kiely, started Pizza Shack in a
small house with little more than a KitchenAid mixer
and residential oven at their disposal. In the beginning,
the family struggled to make any money. In fact, many of
them had other jobs in addition to the new restaurant.
Like most businesses, Pizza Shack began as a small
operation causing many suppliers to shy away from
distributing their products. The dedication of the family
led them to drive through town gathering groceries and
supplies for Pizza Shack’s daily operations.
Eventually, they were able to purchase another mixer
and could make four pizzas at one time. Before long, they
added a delivery service. Pizza Shack’s founders can recall
having a goal of making $500 a week. When the family
reached that target, they were ecstatic, thinking they had
finally made it.
Perseverance and determination paid off for the family.
They recruited another relative, Jim Simmons, a trained
chef from the Culinary Institute of America in New York,
to perfect other dishes as their menu slowly grew.
By August 21, 1997, the business had grown enough to
justify building a freestanding building just down the street
from Pizza Shack’s original location in Willis. John and
Claudia continued as owners with many family members
also employed. Their son, Michael, has been working for
Pizza Shack since he was twelve years old and has done
nearly every job in the restaurant. He is now the general
manager and vice-president of Pizza Shack. Michael and
his wife, Laura, have kept the business in line with restaurant
trends while still maintaining its hometown charm.
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They will assume responsibility and purchase ownership of
the business when John and Claudia are ready to retire.
Other family members have continued to fulfill a variety of
roles at Pizza Shack, from dishwashers to servers to store
managers. Together, the family has worked hard the past
three decades to make Pizza Shack a success while staying
true to its roots.
In 2003, Pizza Shack fulfilled the community’s request
for catering, opening Danello’s at its new Montgomery
location. The name is a nod to John and Claudia’s youngest
son, Daniel. Danello’s is dedicated to providing superior
food and customer service at every event, large or small.
It offers pick-up or drop-off meals as well as full-service
catering. Danello’s has a variety of cuisines available and its
chef is also willing to work with each customer to create
a customized menu.
John and Claudia’s daughter, Amanda, and her grandmother,
Claudette, have made Pizza Shack’s decadent
homemade desserts for many years. In 2012, Amanda
turned her baking talent into a lucrative business making
specialty cupcakes. Amanda operates her business,
BabyCakes, in Pizza Shack’s restaurants. BabyCakes has
become so popular that Amanda is looking
to soon expand the business. She recently
won an episode of Bakers vs. Fakers on the
Food Network.
Pizza Shack donates to the community
and supports local schools every chance it
gets. In addition, veterans, police officers, first
responders, and teachers receive discounted
meals from Pizza Shack every day of the year. In partnership
with Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Pizza Shack
also serves a complimentary catered lunch to veterans once
a month. Additionally, they provide a catered lunch to
senior citizens monthly. Pizza Shack has received many
“best of” awards in Montgomery County since its inception.
Pizza Shack has come a long way from its humble
beginnings. In 2017, Pizza Shack in Montgomery will move
to a new freestanding location. The new restaurant will be
13,000 square feet and complete with a separate, full-size
catering kitchen.
Pizza Shack invites you to visit one of their restaurants
in Willis or Montgomery. For more information on the
business or to view their menu, visit www.pizzashack.com.
✩
Left: Chef Matt in front of the Willis location with the catering van.
Right: Back row, left to right, David Kiely, Michael Simmons and
John Simmons. Front row, left to right, Laura Simmons, Claudia Simmons
and Linda Szarmach.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
121

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
FAIR ASSOCIATION
In the late 1950s, Montgomery County Fair Association
started with “field days”—simple daylong events the
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Agricultural
Division held in fields. Locations changed to local ranches
and farms, and activities were added. Nearly sixty years
later, the renowned event is now a fair, rodeo, and barbecue
cook-off that supports area youth. It is considered the best
small-town county fair in the state.
In 1965, when the Candy Cane Park Pavilion was three
years old, the fair’s show and auction sale had outgrown
its building. The auction had to be held at the Cow Palace
auction barn east of Conroe. By 1967 this area also became
too small for the fair’s Junior Livestock Show, and the
following year, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds
became its new home. In 1979, Montgomery County Fair
incorporated, and in 1985 the fair offices moved to the
fairgrounds, where they are located today. An exhibit
building and two livestock barns have been added to the
site and the Lone Star Expo Center opened in 2001.
Currently, our Fair is a 501c3 organization governed by
an executive board. The fair association could not operate
without its 650 volunteers and 2500 members!
The Fair begins on a Friday followed by an action packed
weekend with various Livestock and Non-Livestock Shows,
Adult Homemaking Show, Ag. Mechanics Show, 2 Rodeo performances
complete with Youth Events and Calf Scramble,
2 nights of live entertainment, Fair Queen’s contest and
crowning, a Ranch Rodeo, Carnival, Cowboy Church and all
the grounds acts you could possible ever need! During the first
weekend, the estimated attendance is 15,000. To honor our
Uniformed Military Personnel, we dedicate the first weekend
to Military Appreciation Days and their admission is free!
The week following leaves no room for boredom, with
grounds entertainment to include the grounds shows such as
a comedy gunfight, petting zoo and pony rides, tractor pulls
and much more. Livestock Shows, Special Education
Auction, Non-Livestock Auction and Livestock Auction,
Livestock Judging Contest, Multi-County Team Roping, Pet
Parade and Replacement Heifer Show/Sale keep the week
hoppin’ ‘round here! This week is also home to 2 Kids Days
for field trips and a Senior Citizens day which even award a
King & Queen! We expect 5,000 fair-goers during this week.
No admission is charged to encourage families to frequent
the grounds.
The last weekend of the Fair is the Montgomery County
Fair BBQ Cook-off, which consisted of 143 teams in 2017.
Patrons will enjoy food and fun of all kinds, a BBQ Cook-Off
contest, Horse Shoe and Washer Pitching Contest, and
we even host the Most Decorated Port-A-Poddy contest!!
On Sunday, the Hispanic heritage is celebrated with live
entertainment and authentic food galore! Our attendance
on this final weekend is our largest crowd of 40,000.
We provide a free shuttle from two different locations to
encourage people to join in our fun!
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In 2017, many records were set including the Jr. Non-
Livestock Auction, which raised $240,480 for 75 items.
The Livestock Auction raised $868,712.50 for 135 items
and the Replacement Heifer Auction raised $111,800 for
42 heifers totaling of over $1.22M! The MCFA had over
1,300 participants in all shows and over 2,300 entries!
Year to date, the Livestock Auction alone has awarded
over $18M to area youth!
Our most prized possession is the MCFA Scholarship
program which began in 1993 when the scholarship trail
ride committee was established. The funds raised by the
committee went toward scholarships for graduating seniors.
Along with the proceeds from the scholarship trail ride, a
percentage of the livestock and homemaking auctions of the
fair help fund the scholarship program. More than $2 million
in college scholarships have been awarded since 1993.
Six public school districts within Montgomery County,
including twelve senior high schools (Caney Creek, Conroe,
Magnolia, Magnolia West, Montgomery, New Caney, Oak
Ridge, Porter, Splendora, The Woodlands, The Woodlands
College Park, and Willis) are eligible for the fair’s scholarship
program. Students also may be enrolled in a private,
parochial, or specialized school in Montgomery County.
Students must be in the top one-fourth of their graduating
class, have a minimum SAT score of 900 or ACT score of
twenty, must graduate high school at the end of the spring
semester the award is bestowed or be a midterm graduate
at the time of application.
The Montgomery County Fair Association is located
at 9201 Airport Road in Conroe. For more information
about the association or its events, visit its website at
www.mcfa.org.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
123

SOUTHWESTERN IMAGING
SYSTEMS & SERVICE
✩
Left to right: Brooke Verinder, Greg Wolfe and Daniel Pakuszewski.
Southwestern Imaging Systems & Service (SWISS) is
focused on making a positive difference in the supply,
support, and servicing of medical imaging equipment.
Founded in 2002, the company provides sales, leasing,
and service options for PET/CT, cardiac PET, nuclear
cardiology, and nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging systems.
Founded on principles of honesty, ethical behavior,
and a service-first attitude, SWISS contributes to the
operation of its customer companies by providing imaging
systems, parts, and services.
Southwestern Imaging was originally founded by
Brooke Verinder and three investors. A former United
States Army field nurse, Brooke has always had a strong
interest in business. In fact, Brooke’s father was a business
owner, and from him she learned an appreciation for
company ownership and the skills necessary to successfully
run a business. In addition to being “born into business,”
Brooke has also benefitted from the support and encouragement
she has received from her husband, Tim, and her
two children, Gavin and Grace.
In 2002, two companies, Advanced Cardio Associates
in Beaumont and Riverpoint Cardio Associates in
Conroe, let it be known that they were open to working
with an independent service provider. With that
jumpstart, Verinder and her team of investors started
the company. From the start, SWISS followed a path
towards growth based on its founding principles. These
principles are clearly spelled out in the company’s
mission statement:
“The mission of Southwestern Imaging Systems &
Service is to make a positive difference in the area of
medical imaging. We will contribute to the well-being of
our industry by providing systems, parts, and services in a
professional, reliable, and ethical manner.”
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Almost fifteen years later, Advanced Cardio Associates
and Riverpoint Cardio Associates are still customers of
Southwestern Imaging, a testament to the company’s ability
and willingness to meet its customers’ needs.
From its beginnings in 2002,
Southwestern Imaging charted
a path for growth. In 2006,
Southwestern Imaging took
another important step when it
added Greg Wolfe as the company’s
service manager. Later, Greg
was named chief operating officer
for the company. Bringing a
unique combination of technical
knowledge and skills with business
acumen, Wolfe has contributed
to the success of the
company by taking the quality of
its overall operation to an even
higher level.
Another key contributor to
SWISS’ effort today is vice president
of sales, Dan Pakuszewski.
As a certified nuclear medicine
technologist, Dan is able to parlay technical knowledge
with capital equipment sales and project management
experience to ensure that SWISS meets customers’ needs
and operational objectives. Dan has been a key factor in a
number of customer companies being able to achieve their
imaging objectives in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Since its founding almost fifteen years ago, Southwestern
Imaging has grown from a company consisting of its two
founding partners to an organization of more than fifteen
full-time employees. Southwestern Imaging currently
operates out of the 6,000-square foot facility located in
Spring, Texas, and has a sales office in California. The
company also is expanding its service offerings into
nuclear pharmaceuticals, which management envisions as
a rapidly growing area of business.
In addition to successfully managing its growth,
Southwestern Imaging has also made time for a wide range
of charitable works. One such activity is the company’s
relationship with a young girl in El Salvador named Sofia.
For the past seven years, Southwestern Imaging has contributed
to the well-being of this young woman in a number
of ways. In fact, going far beyond providing simple financial
assistance, Brooke has visited Sofia on several occasions.
For more information about Southwestern Imaging
Systems & Service, call them at 888-295-2367 or visit the
company’s website at www.swissnm.com.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
125

CONROE’S INCREDIBLE
PIZZA COMPANY
Since 2005, Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company, located
just north of Houston, has brought together families,
friends, corporations and organizations in a 1950s-themed
restaurant and entertainment venue.
Good times can be had in IPC’s multiple dining rooms
and festive private party rooms. Guests enjoy the unlimited
buffet with food prepared from scratch daily, including
an assortment of pizzas, pastas and sauces, a vibrant
salad bar, and homemade desserts. IBC’s indoor fairgrounds
keep guests entertained with laser tag, go-karts, miniature
golf and bowling, bumper cars, ice skating, and more than
125 video games. Visit Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company,
where nothing tops our pizza but the fun!
Dr. Edward Blackburne, III wrote a research paper on the
IPC franchise and urged his parents, Edward, Jr., and Janette
Blackburne, to visit its restaurant. The Blackburnes met
with the franchise’s owners, Rick and Cheryl Barsness at
their only store at the time, located in Springfield, Missouri.
The Blackburnes were impressed with its fun, family-oriented
atmosphere and Christian principles.
Rick and his research team visited Conroe to see the
potential building and location for Conroe’s IPC. They felt
it was an ideal spot because of the nearby freeway and
determined the building was in good condition and would
work well for the store. The Blackburnes then decided to buy
into the America’s Incredible Pizza Company Franchise and
plans began for the build out. The franchise’s team did some
drawings for the Blackburnes to view and guide them on
how to make the best use of the space. They also provided
contactors and vendors for all the store’s furnishings.
Mario Valadez became managing partner and part owner.
In September 2005, one month after Conroe’s Incredible
Pizza Company opened, Hurricane Rita, a Category 5 storm,
headed for Houston, and its owners prepared for the store’s
temporary closing. Northernmost freeways in the area were
congested with traffic fleeing the area. Many residents who
stayed, ran out of gasoline and food. Ultimately, the storm
veered to the right of Houston, sparing it and the surrounding
area from the torrential rainfall, winds and devastation
wrought on other parts of the state.
Despite its stormy start, Conroe’s IPC has established
itself as the go-to spot for birthday parties, family events
and celebrations, company meetings and corporate
events.The eatery and entertainment venue strives to
achieve top-quality status in food and service through
employee training, attitude, pride and morals. The
Blackburnes and Valadez aim to provide an atmosphere in
which its 100 to 150 employees can learn and grow through
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126

its family values. The owners’ goals are to welcome every
customer like a long-lost friend and to provide a unifying
experience for families through fun, entertainment and
excellent food.
Conroe’s IPC strives to stay modern, offering new games
and attractions each year at its store. The Blackburnes and
Valadez remain focused on the beauty and maintenance
of the building and constantly strive to provide a dining
experience—with great food choices—that are second to
none. The owners believe that testing new recipes for the
store’s buffets is very important in ensuring its menus
remain fresh and enticing.
Like its franchise, Conroe’s IPC is committed to operating
according to God’s principles. The Blackburnes want their
work to be an adventure done in a spirit of cooperation and
fun. In doing this, their goal is to build relationships within
its staff, customers and vendors.
Conroe’s IPC is actively involved in the lives of the
children of its community and strives to be a positive
influence. The business partners with the Conroe YMCA
and their Leap of Faith program and supports equine
therapy for children and adults who have special needs.
For more information on Conroe’s Incredible Pizza
Company, visit its website at IPCconroe.com, or stop by the
store, open seven days a week at 230 South Loop 336 West.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
127

GREATER CONROE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
✩
TOP: PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JERRY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY.
The Greater Conroe Economic Development Council
(GCEDC) serves the City of Conroe to assist in attracting
and retaining primary jobs and qualified capital investment
within its targeted industry sectors. The city, through its
Industrial Development Corporation, contracted with CIDC
to do marketing, incentive negotiation and day-to-day operations
required to run an effective economic development
program. GCEDC conducts marketing and promotion of
the Conroe area throughout Texas, the U.S. and overseas to
firms who might have an interest in locating or expanding
to Conroe. It provides assistance with site selection as well
as incentive negotiation, permitting, workforce training and
hiring, and customized research.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a group of local
business owners pooled their funds to purchase 150 acres
of land in what is now Conroe Park North. These early
pioneers of economic development marketed the property
themselves but, lacking the resources to provide needed
infrastructure into the park, merged into the GCEDC.
GCEDC was founded in 1995 after a 1994 election allowed
the half-cent sales tax being collected to be dedicated for
economic development purposes.
With offices located in the Chamber of Commerce
Building and funds available to hire a full-time staff to
market the property and provide needed public infrastructure,
the GCEDC was off and running. Its first
CEO, Tom Stinson, was hired in 1995. The vision provided
by the GCEDC and support from the City Council and city
administration have allowed for acquisition of land and
needed expansion into Conroe and Montgomery County.
GCEDC worked with the Conroe Industrial Development
Corporation (the statutory board that oversees the 4B
sales tax funds) to develop the first phase of Conroe Park
North, acquiring an existing industrial park, Conroe
Industrial Park.
Local business owner, Gene Campbell, was a great asset
to GCEDC in terms of the sale of land owned by his family
adjacent to the park. Today, Conroe Park North encompasses
more than 1,045 acres and has businesses from around the
world in the park or nearby. In addition to Campbell, business
leader Don Buckalew with Buckalew Chevrolet and attorney
R.A.“Mickey” Deison, a former Montgomery County judge and
former mayor of Conroe, were critical to GCEDC’s success.
GCEDC’s contract with the Chamber of Commerce
ended in 2012, and the department was folded into the
City of Conroe’s governmental structure. The CIDC Board
continues to serve as the advisory board over the 4B funds,
and the GCEDC Board of Directors serves in an advisory
capacity to manage the strategic goals of the organization.
The GCEDC has operated from a series of economic
development strategic plans for marketing and business
retention and expansion. The current plan and strategies
were adopted in 2015 and include focus on existing business
sectors in energy, manufacturing and distribution.
GCEDC is planting the seeds for future sectors in healthcare,
life science, aerospace and advanced manufacturing
through a program of work that included the development
of a new business and technology park near Conroe
Park North. Deison Technology Park is being developed as
an emerging location for engineering, R&D and clean
technologies touching on aerospace, medical device and
renewable energy, along with IT development.
GCEDC has grown to a staff of five individuals who oversee
recruitment of new business to the community and
work side-by-side with existing businesses to help them
grow and expand. The ED sales tax generated $10.4 million
in Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
GCEDC’s offices are in the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber
of Commerce Building at 505 West Davis Street. For more
information about GCEDC, visit its website at www.gcedc.org.
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128

The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership,
a nonprofit founded on February 24, 1997, after the chamber
of commerce recognized the value of local business leaders
and employers working together to encourage area growth.
Chamber leaders wanted to address The Woodlands’ business
retention issue, and several of their board members
contributed cash for EDP’s startup.
The EDP began in the chamber offices with the mission
of promoting the economic development of The Woodlands
area through support of existing businesses and recruitment
of new businesses that can bring opportunities to the
area. After about five years of establishing its value,
EDP became the principal economic developer for the
incorporated communities of Oak Ridge North and
Shenandoah, and also began representing unincorporated
South Montgomery County and The Woodlands Township.
EDP receives and processes leads from lead generators,
i.e. entities including the State of Texas, Entergy Texas,
site locators, Greater Houston Partnership, and commercial
brokers. EDP has the support of The Woodlands Township,
City of Shenandoah, and the City of Oak Ridge North in
funding economic development activities for the community.
EDP links the public to Texas’ successful business climate,
coordinating available resources in the area to facilitate moves
to or expansions within The Woodlands’ vibrant business
and lifestyle community. Employers are matched to a unique
business environment, provided access to quality employees
to help grow that business, assisted with government,
regulatory, and transportation infrastructure, and introduced
to a destination lifestyle. Since EDP’s inception, The
Woodlands has experienced steady job growth—from just
over 17,500 jobs to the current level of 63,000-plus jobs.
EDP’s growth statistics are aligned with membership
revenue. Since 1997 the organization’s membership
base has grown from eight members to ninety-two and
membership revenue has grown from approximately
$50,000 to over $900,000.
EDP’s priorities for the future include increased, organized,
and employee-directed communication utilizing social
media, town hall meetings, publication of regional data,
provision of economic development information, and
assistance from board members who speak on behalf of the
organization. EDP also plans to market and expand its
regional scope and recruit additional businesses while
supporting and retaining existing ones by expanding
awareness of The Woodlands, involving local business
executives, creating a mentoring and incentive program,
broadening membership, and re-evaluating target industries
and adjusting them based on The Woodlands’ assets.
The organization hopes to further educate and provide
its members opportunities for engagement through the
provision of information regarding new businesses that are
opening, the establishment of a committee to monitor and
advocate for issues affecting businesses, spotlighting
their positive experiences with EDP,
identifying their wants and needs, and encouraging
them to involve their employees in EDP.
EDP’s other priorities include establishing
a more welcoming business climate and
transportation infrastructure and marketing
EDP to the business community. To do this, it
plans to develop a PR campaign telling why
people are moving to the area, work more
closely with education leaders, inform employers
of long-term plans, make metrics more
available, be proactive in researching emerging
trends and ideas, and support initiatives aimed
at improving public transportation.
For more information on EDP, visit their
website at www.edpartnership.net.
THE WOODLANDS AREA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PARTNERSHIP
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
129

BCS PROPERTIES
Barbara Shrader, owner of BCS Properties has been a
licensed real estate agent since 1994 and a Montgomery
County resident since 1979. When the opportunity arose
for Shrader to start her own real estate business, she—with
her husband Charles as broker—built a new, centrallylocated
office and opened BCS Properties in 2001. The
boutique real estate agency offers full residential and
commercial divisions with exemplary service.
Shrader moved to Conroe, Texas, when the area had
fewer than five restaurants and shopping was nonexistent.
With a population of over 455,000 at the time of the
2010 Census, Montgomery County is now one of the
fastest-growing counties in Texas. Whether the area of
interest is Conroe, The Woodlands, Montgomery, Willis, or
nearby, Shrader’s twenty-plus years of real estate experience
and in-depth knowledge of Montgomery County can
assist seasoned homeowners and first-time buyers alike
achieve their home-ownership goals.
BCS Properties’ website, www.bcsproperties.com, provides
local real estate information for prospective buyers.
Highlights about the Northwest Houston real estate market
—including Conroe, Willis, The Woodlands, Lake Conroe,
and the surrounding area—are summarized, along with
BCS Properties’ feature homes and MLS listings. The
company also has ten professional agents with extensive
backgrounds in residential and commercial real estate and
more than 125 years of combined experience.
Shrader has been BCS Properties’ broker since 2013. She
is a 2010 graduate of the Texas Realtor Leadership Program
and was named a Texas Monthly Five Star Award Winner in
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016. (Five Star award winners
represent fewer than three percent of real estate agents in
the Houston area.) Shrader was also named 2009 Realtor of
the Year by the Women’s Council of Realtors and served as
president of the Montgomery County Women’s Council of
Realtors in 2011. She is a graduate of the Realtor Institute,
is a luxury home specialist, and an accredited buyer’s
representative. Shrader is a member of the Lake Conroe
Area Republican Women, the Conroe/Lake Conroe
Chamber of Commerce, and the Montgomery County
Women’s Council of Realtors.
Shrader and all her agents enjoy being able to help
people fulfill their dreams. Sometimes BCS Properties’
agents have to assist clients when they are going through
difficult times in their lives, but these types of situations
are opportunities that allow them to demonstrate their
helpful nature. Shrader feels proud and honored to work
among such a caring staff.
BCS Properties is different from other real estate agencies
because it is a referral business. BCS Properties is known
in Montgomery County for operating with integrity and
honesty. The office knows that each new client comes
to them because of someone else who worked with the
company in the past and had a good experience.
BCS Properties is located in North Montgomery County
at 9560 FM 830 in Willis. For more information, visit the
company’s website or call 936-856-4858.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
130

Representative Will Metcalf was raised in Conroe, Texas,
and is a sixth-generation resident of Montgomery County.
A devoted husband and father, influential lawmaker,
and accomplished business leader, Metcalf’s roots in his
hometown run deep. Due to his extensive involvement
in the community, Metcalf has his finger on the pulse
of the community and is dedicated to protecting its
values—values that helped mold him into the person he
is today.
Driven by a desire to be involved in decisions made at
the state level that could affect the future of his children
and future generations, as well as the opportunities
afforded to them, Metcalf became state representative
from House District 16 in November 2014. He quickly
established an open-door policy. From meeting with
local officials and civic groups to attending public events,
Metcalf always makes himself available to constituents
in need. In addition to being available to Montgomery
County’s citizens, Metcalf’s primary goals as a Texas State
Representative include helping to bring in a new generation
of conservative leadership to the state capital and ensuring
that Texas continues to be the best place to live.
During his first term as state representative, he served
on the House committees on Homeland Security &
Public Safety, as well as Economic & Small Business
Development, and was a member of the Subcommittee on
Small Business. He is a member of the Young Texans
Legislative Caucus, Rural Caucus, and the House
Republican Caucus. Metcalf has been named a Fighter
for Free Enterprise by the Texas Association of Business,
a Courageous Conservative by the Texas Conservative
Coalition, a Pro-Property Rights Champion by Texans
Uniting for Reform & Freedom, a Texas Gold Star
Representative from Texas Right to Life, and a Faith and
Family Champion from Texas Values.
Metcalf earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
from Sam Houston State University. He is Vice President
and Director of Business Development at Spirit of Texas
Bank, where he assists in leading the bank’s commercial
lending division. He is also involved in the real estate
market, managing investments in Montgomery County and
the surrounding region.
Metcalf is honored to serve Montgomery County
because of its generous people who, like him, have a
servant’s heart. Of the many duties Metcalf upholds,
his roles as that of a Christian, husband to Megan,
and father to their twin daughters, Amelia and
Elizabeth, are most important to him. He feels
successful because of his relationship with Christ and
the unwavering support he receives from his family
and supporters.
Metcalf has served in a number of capacities for
various organizations, including serving as a former
board member of the Conroe Industrial Development
Corporation Board, the Greater Conroe Economic
Development Council, and Conroe Family YMCA.
Metcalf served on the Finance Committee for First
Baptist Church of Conroe, and was the president of
the First Baptist Academy School Board. He is a
graduate of the Leadership Montgomery County Class
of 2014 and is currently a member of the advisory
board for Montgomery County Fair Association,
Conroe Noon Lions Club, and Fellowship of
Montgomery. Metcalf also serves as a board member
and treasurer for the Montgomery Independent
School District Education Foundation and is a
lifetime member of the Montgomery County Fair
Association, Friends of Conroe, National Rifle Association,
100 Club, and the Sam Houston State University
Alumni Association.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
WILL METCALF
✩
Will and Megan Metcalf with daughters, Elizabeth and Amelia.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
131

✩
CHOCOLATE PASSION
Above: Left to right, Zulay and Terry Quinn.
After experiencing firsthand, the savory, rich Criollo
chocolate grown on cacao plantations in the forests of
Venezuela, Zulay and Terry Quinn brought their palatable
passion to the masses more than 2,000 miles away in
Conroe, with the opening of Chocolate Passion on
January 1, 2006. The family-owned business focuses
primarily on fresh, handmade chocolates and truffles
from rare Venezuelan Criollo chocolate and also offers
wedding and specialty cakes, desserts, Italian- and
American-style coffee, catering, an event venue, beautifully
embellished dreamy weddings, lunch featuring American
and international dishes, as well as frappes and beverages.
Terry and his wife, Zulay, the shop’s chief chocolatier,
moved to Texas from Zulay’s native country of Venezuela in
2002. Besides chocolates, Chocolate Passion initially offered
quality Italian coffees such as a five-bean mix of espresso
for Italian coffee drinks including lattes and cappuccinos,
as well as American drip coffees and exquisite desserts.
The business eventually expanded to offer lunch, wedding
cakes, and catering, and grew to 4,000 square feet to provide
a venue for weddings, wedding rehearsal dinners, birthday
parties, quinceañeras, live music gatherings, and other
medium-sized events.
Since its early days, Chocolate Passion’s delectable chocolates
and charming atmosphere have attracted patrons of
all ages. Before the business served lunch, Zulay would
close the shop around noontime. A nearby school would dismiss
its students, who would stop by the shop’s window and
stare wide-eyed at the
mouth-watering chocolates
on display as they
waited for it to reopen.
Another customer of
Italian descent was so
drawn to Chocolate
Passion’s ambiance—a blend of European and Texan—that he
has frequented the shop almost every weekend with his family
since his twins, now nearly ten, were just one week old.
Chocolate Passion’s storefront has served as a hub for local
organizations. Two churches started at Chocolate Passion,
and the Greater Conroe Latino Chamber of Commerce held
its first meeting on the premises. The business also provides
catering to the Faith “Fighting Cancer” in Montgomery
County, an annual fundraiser for local cancer patients and
their families; chocolate presentation and catered desserts
for the Daughters of the American Revolution and the
Montgomery County Medical Association meetings; and
support for activities of the Conroe Hispanic Task Force,
directed by Marlen Tejeda, which is dedicated to promoting
local community service and improving the lives of the
Hispanic community in Montgomery County.
The chocolate shop was the focus of a two-part Univision
television series titled Como Agua para Chocolate, which
detailed the process of making chocolate and chocolate
drinks. Patrons were interviewed on camera and provided
their opinions of Chocolate Passion’s chocolate, as well as the
attributes of tasty chocolate. In addition, Chocolate Passion
has received awards including first-place Best Breakfast from
the “Best of the Best” Texas Travel Counselors Tour in 2010.
Chocolate Passion invites you to “savor the good things
in life” and visit them at 1520 North Frazier Street. For
more information, call them at 936-539-6585 or peruse
their menu at www.chocolatepassion.net.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
132

The mission of the Montgomery County Constable’s Office
Precinct 3 is to enhance the safety and protect the trust of
Montgomery County’s citizens. The office is mandated to do
so with honor and integrity, while conducting itself with
the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence.
Its daily responsibilities include bailiff of the Justice of the
Peace Precinct 3 Court; serving of civil process and writs;
and providing the southern portion of Montgomery County
a full-service law enforcement agency.
Signed in 1836 the Constitution of the Republic of Texas
established that a “sufficient number of constables” be elected,
and the office of constable was included in the Texas
Constitution of 1845, 1869, and 1876. The Office of Constable
is the oldest law enforcement position in county government.
Constable Thomas J. Beyette is believed to be one of
the first constables in Montgomery County Precinct 3. He
was killed in the line of duty in 1931. His successors are
Constable Eddie Pierce, 1976-1979; Constable Al Rose,
1980-1984; Constable Amanda Jane Williamson, 1985-1996;
and Constable Tim Holifield, 1996-2012. Ryan Gable was
elected Constable and appointed on August 3, 2012.
In 1993, Constable Gable began his law enforcement
career with the Harris County Constable’s Office, where he
worked all aspects of law enforcement and was promoted to
the rank of Captain, commanding the Civil/Writs/Warrants
and Training Divisions. Constable Gable retired from the
Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4 in August of
2012, just before beginning his position as Constable of
the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Precinct 3.
Constable Gable is a TCOLE instructor, teaching for
the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas
(Sam Houston State University) and is in his tenth year
as instructor at the Texas Justice Court Training Center.
His office was the first county agency in the state to earn
the prestigious recognition of the Texas Best Practices
Recognition Program from the Texas Police Chiefs
Association Foundation, regarding the professionalism
displayed and maintained by the Constable’s Office.
Constable Gable was recently nominated by the Justice of
the Peace and Constables Association as Constable of
the Year for 2015-2016 and is recognized as a state expert
in the management and service of Civil and Writ Process.
Constable Gable is honored to serve Montgomery County
and is dedicated to protecting its children. He was the first in
law enforcement in Montgomery County to have the expertise
to investigate Internet crimes against children. Immediately
after taking office, he established the first unit of its kind
in Montgomery County to target online child predators.
He provided training for the district attorney’s office and other
constable precincts to investigate such crimes, and created
a team of professionals to arrest online child predators.
The Montgomery County Constable’s Office Precinct 3
includes 41 sworn personnel, 12 reserve personnel and
3 non-sworn personnel. The office is located at 1520 Lake
Front Circle, Suite 200, in The Woodlands. For more
information, visit www.mcco3.org.
✩
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
CONSTABLE’S OFFICE
PRECINCT 3
Left: A Montgomery County Constable SUV.
Below: Montgomery County Constable, Ryan Gable.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
133

SACRED HEART
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Sacred Heart Parish’s history dates back to 1898, when
Reverend Joseph I. Kline of Plantersville held the first known
Mass in Conroe at the home of Andrew Jackson Madeley.
The first Catholic church in Conroe was a small building
located on the west side of South Main Street at the
intersection of Avenue G, on land the McDade family
donated. On October 25, 1916, Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher
of Galveston visited Conroe to confirm a class of seventeen
and dedicate the new church of St. Mary’s of the Woods.
Conroe was eventually changed from a mission of St. Mary’s,
Plantersville to a mission of St. Joseph Church, New Waverly.
A church was erected at the present site on land partly
donated by the McDade family. In 1935, Bishop C. E. Byrne
consecrated the church altar and dedicated the new church
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the early 1930s, the McDades
again donated several acres of land for a new church.
In the decades that followed, Sacred Heart continued to
grow in size and in membership. Father Thomas M. Cemon,
Sacred Heart’s first permanent pastor, built the church’s
first parish hall. Construction of the parish’s school was
completed in 1959 and staffed by the Sisters of Charity
of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1968, during Reverend Fred P.
O’Connor’s tenure, the old parish hall was removed to
expand parking space, and three acres of land were acquired
for a playground. In 1969 a home was donated for the site
of the present church building, which was dedicated in 1972
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Father Philip Wilhite became Sacred Heart’s pastor in
2010. The church now serves more than 7,500 families, has
approximately 70 active ministries, more than 1,000 people
in its faith formation programs, and approximately 300
students in its parish school. Three priests and 2 religious
sisters reside on campus, 23 staff members work at the
parish, and another 50 staff the school.
Sacred Heart converted the old Lone Star Clinic building
into a parish office, with additional space dedicated as its
St. John Paul Youth Center. Plans for a fourth church, twice
the size of its current building, are in the works. The new
church will accommodate approximately 1,500 people and
include a chapel that will seat another 200 parishioners.
The current church location at 109 North Frazier Street will
be converted into a fellowship hall, and the church built
in 1934 will continue to serve the parish as meeting space.
Sacred Heart’s mission is to nurture, live, and share our
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to strive for love, justice, and
the salvation of all for the glory of God. For more information
about the church, visit www.shconroe.org. You may also
follow Sacred Heart on social media at: www.facebook.com/
sacredheartconroe, www.instagram.com/sacredheartconroe,
and www.twitter.com/shconroe.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
134

For two decades, Owner Builder Network ® has been in
business to help homeowners in the Montgomery County
area, and greater Texas to build their dream homes!
The goal is to build the dream without sacrificing budgets.
Founded in 1997, Owner Builder Network ® carefully
guides its clients through the complete building process,
while providing meticulous attention to every detail—from
energy efficiency to soil testing; from engineered foundations
to framing through drywall. Owner Builder Network ® operates
with the belief that its clients are not just constructing a
house; they are building a home to live in and enjoy.
Sheila Marler transferred from Austin to Houston to build
custom houses in the Montgomery County area with the
support of George Mitchell and Mitchell Energy. Owner
Builder Network ® became reality after seeing the lack of quality
and high prices that plagued the home building industry.
Sheila’s business model is to allow the homeowner to have
full control of the building process, their budget, and have
direct involvement with the individuals involved in the
building of their home for a seamless, streamlined process.
Owner Builder Network ® started small with one financial
institution, and one designer and a few key contractors and
suppliers, which they had been using from “turn-key” days.
The idea of “more control for less cost” immediately had
a loyal following and OBN developed a policy which they
maintain to this day: Work daily with their suppliers of
all kinds to make sure they are meeting the client’s needs.
Owner Builder Network ® was so busy its first two years
of business that Sheila spent much of her time appearing
on radio and television broadcasts to talk about the “new”
way to build homes instead of houses.
Early on, when the company decided to make its first
television commercial at the new home of their clients,
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Sanders answered the door with
tears in her eyes. She said, “Sheila, every morning I feel like
I need to pinch myself. Every morning I am walking through
my dream. Ever since I was a little girl this is what I dreamed
my home would look like. I know where everything is and
how it was done. Thank you.” Mrs. Sanders later said she
could not have afforded that home had she used a turn-key
builder instead of Owner Builder Network ® .
Potential clients often bring ideas of what they would like
to build. Owner Builder Network ® will calculate the home’s
wholesale and retail price, and determine if and what kind of
financing is needed. Owner Builder Network ® has an extensive
list of highly vetted competent subcontractors and suppliers
who have agreed to work with them at a builder’s discount.
Owner Builder Network ® is headquartered at 7102 FM
1488 in Magnolia, Texas, 77354, two blocks from The
Woodlands. It also has affiliated locations in Dallas,
Fort Worth, and San Antonio, and is working on opening
offices in South Houston and in Bastrop.
Visit OwnerBuilderNetwork.com for more information,
or go to the company’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
ateamofexpertshelpingyoubuildyourhome. To contact them
by phone, call 281-356-9050.
OWNER BUILDER
NETWORK ®
✩
Left: From left to right, Sterling “Chance” Kramer, Sheila and David Marler.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
135

THE J. BEARD
REAL ESTATE COMPANY
✩
Below: The firm in 2015.
Bottom: Left to right, Jeff Beard, Diana Gaines and Jeff Tinsley, 2003.
It seems everywhere you look in Montgomery County,
The J. Beard Real Estate Company has made a real estate
contribution of some sort. This commercial real estate brokerage
firm offers services encompassing leasing, brokerage,
site acquisition, property management, development,
consulting, and landlord/tenant representation. The firm
is considered an industry leader in commercial real
estate within the Greater Houston market specifically in
Montgomery County and North Harris County. Since its
founding in 2003, the company
has maintained its position as
one of the market leaders
delivering insight, leadership
and unique expertise for its
clients’ success.
In 2003, Jeff Beard was
working as director of retail
properties for The Woodlands
Operating Company. Owned by
Morgan Stanley and Crescent
Real Estate Equities, the company
was being partially acquired
by real estate conglomerate
Rouse Companies. Subsequently,
it unexpectedly dissolved a
large portion of the commercial
real estate division, and Beard
was among the many layoffs.
Several of the property owners and clients Beard had
been serving reached out to him for assistance to follow
through with their commercial real estate needs. In order to
continue to provide for his family and serve these clients,
Beard formed his own company. The J. Beard Real Estate
Company and quickly grew from a sole proprietor into a
thriving small business.
Over the past decade and a half, The J. Beard Real Estate
Company has ushered in a new wave of commercial
opportunities that have touched countless individuals.
Significant projects in which the firm has been involved
include the replacement of a forty year old warehouse
with a state-of-the-art Class A office building, Havenwood
Office Park, off I-45 near The Woodlands; development
of the Target Center in Magnolia off FM 2978, which
originated with eleven pieces of land and was a three
year process; facilitation of the land sale, development and
leasing for Shenandoah’s Vision Park, Research Plaza and
Research Pines shopping centers; land sales of nearly
600 acres of the Doughtie Parcel over the course of a
decade for Toll Brothers to develop a high-end environment
to work, live and play in South Montgomery County;
and, in 2007, involvement in St. Luke’s Episcopal
Health System’s and Texas Children’s Hospital’s joint
purchase of twenty-two acres of land recently built in
The Woodlands.
Through sponsorships, donations, and hands-on volunteering,
The J. Beard Real Estate has proudly supported
many charitable organizations and community activities,
including the American Cancer Society–Montgomery
County; CASA Montgomery County; Commercial Real Estate
Association of Montgomery County (CREAM); Economic
Outlook Conference–The Woodlands Area Chamber of
Commerce; Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County;
Interfaith of The Woodlands; March of Dimes Montgomery
County, New Danville; The Cynthia Woods Mitchell
Pavilion; Woodforest Charitable Foundation; and
Woodlands High School football and baseball teams.
The J. Beard Real Estate Company is located within
the Parkwood Office Building, 10077 Grogan’s Mill Road,
Suite 135, in The Woodlands. For more information about
the company, visit its website at www.jbeardcompany.com.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
136

John Wiesner was born in
Richmond, Texas, and attended
Hempstead High School,
where he met his wife, the
late Elizabeth Sorsby. The couple
graduated from Southern
Methodist University after
marrying in their sophomore
year and raised three sons.
Wiesner began his career
as a salesman for his fatherin-law
at Sorsby Chevrolet in Hempstead. After working in
all areas of the dealership, he bought the business; he then
purchased the Chevrolet franchise in Baytown. In 1972,
Wiesner acquired the Buick Pontiac GMC franchise in Conroe
and John Wiesner, Inc., was born. The company began with
ten employees, three of whom quit in the first week,
to having more than 500 employees at multiple locations.
In 1984 the company moved to 1645 I-45 North, the
flagship location, in Conroe. Wiesner added the Hyundai
franchise and later opened Conroe Collision Center in 1988.
The Huntsville dealership opened in 1994 and the Chevrolet
franchise was acquired soon after. Wiesner purchased
Tomball Dodge, as well as Wiesner Dodge Rosenberg,
Wiesner Chevrolet Oldsmobile Rosenberg, and Wiesner
Pontiac Cadillac GMC Rosenberg, in 1997, all of which were
sold in the early 2000s.
The Wiesner name is synonymous with loyalty and
excellence. Workforce retention has always been important to
Wiesner, and a dozen of his employees have worked for him
since the 1970s and 1980s. The organization’s high expectations
are evident in its significant accomplishments, which
include: No. 1 GMC Retail Suburban Sales in Nation, 1990-
94; No. 1 GMC Retail Sierra Sales in Nation, 1991-96; No. 1
GMC Total Retail Sales in Texas for 8 years; No. 2 GMC Total
Retail Sales in Nation for 5 years; Houston Business Journal’s
No. 8 Family Owned Business of Top 50 in Houston; Time
Magazine Quality Dealer Award, 1997; Texas Automotive
Dealers Association’s Key Award Outstanding Director,
1998-99; and General Motors’ Mark of Excellence Award.
Wiesner was president of the Texas Gulf Coast Pontiac
Dealers, the GMC Truck Dealers Advertising Associations and
served on the National Dealer Council for General Motors.
Wiesner believes in giving back to the community and
is a proponent of development and progress for Montgomery
and surrounding counties. He served on many boards
and was vital in establishing the Lone Star College System
in Montgomery County. Wiesner chaired the committee
that created North Harris Montgomery Community College
District in 1991 and continues to serve on its Foundation
Board. He also served as chairman
for Lake Conroe and The Woodlands
Chambers, Montgomery County Appraisal
District, Conroe Regional Medical Center
Hospital, and is on the board of directors
for the Conroe Symphony Orchestra.
Wiesner’s son, Don Edd, became the
dealer in 2014 and proudly continues
the family legacy. He operates the company
with the same principles and values
upon which it was founded. Wiesner’s
visionary business approach, appreciation
for and dedication to his employees
and customers, and commitment to
his community has led to John Wiesner,
Inc.’s longevity. The company’s strong
foundation will continue its trajectory
of growth, helping it to face the challenges
that lie ahead in this exciting,
dynamic industry.
JOHN WIESNER, INC.
✩
Left: John Wiesner.
Below: Wiesner Buick, GMC and Wiesner Hyundai of Conroe located at
1645 I-45 North in Conroe.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BEAULAC PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTISTRY.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
137

TRI-COUNTY
BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
On September 1, 1983, Tri-County Services became the
thirty-first community MHMR center in Texas, serving Liberty,
Walker and Montgomery Counties. Tri-County began its first
year with an executive director, program director, business
director, administrative assistant, and eleven staff members
who had transferred from Rusk State Hospital. Only outpatient
mental health counseling and psychiatric services were offered.
The service array rapidly expanded, and by the end of
fiscal year 1984, Tri-County MHMR Services was offering
classes for people with alcohol dependency and providing
diagnosis and evaluation services for people with mental
retardation. The same year saw contracts for in-patient
psychiatric services and crisis resolution services, as well as,
job contracts through the Texas Department of Highways for
people with mental impairments. The budget had grown to
almost $1.5 million with forty-six employees.
Now known as Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare, the
center’s budget has grown to almost $31 million with more
than 350 full- and part-time staff, including board certified
psychiatrists, physician’s assistants, advanced practice nurses,
licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers
registered and licensed vocational nurses, mental health and
intellectual and developmental disabilities professionals
and paraprofessionals, and administration staff.
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare offers a comprehensive
array of services and supports provided annually to nearly
7,500 individuals with mental illness and
more than 1,200 people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities; an average
of 4500 individuals are in service at
any one time. Services for individuals
with mental illnesses include: mental
health screening, admission and referral
services, crisis hotline services, crisis
residential services, medication services,
in-patient services, skills training, vocational services, residential
support services and housing, counseling services, criminal
justice services, and substance abuse prevention. Services
for individuals with developmental disabilities include mental
retardation screening, admission and referral services,
home- and community-based services, group homes, day habilitation
services, employment services, state school placement
and discharge services, and respite services. The center is
currently funded through contracts with the Texas Department
of State Health Services, the Texas Department of Aging and
Disability Services, Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance,
consumer fees and grants.
Tri-County’s Psychiatric Emergency Treatment Center, built
with county funds, operates on state funding and matches
from local partners. The goal of the PETC is to provide appropriate
treatment for patients as opposed to treating them in
jails or the emergency room, and break the recidivistic cycle.
In 2015, 763 unique individuals were served with an average
stay of five and a half days, totaling over 4,500 bed-days. Over
eighty percent admitted to the PETC are indigent.
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare’s mission is to enhance the
quality of life for the individuals and communities it serves
by ensuring the provision of quality services for individuals with
mental illness, substance abuse disorders and intellectual/developmental
disabilities. Its vision is to develop a mental health and
developmental disabilities care system with adequate resources
to ensure the provision of effective and efficient services to meet
the needs of its community. To achieve this, Tri-County partners
with the community to expand the availability of new and existing
resources and assure the availability of technically and culturally
competent staff. The center’s core values are commitment
to honesty and integrity, optimism regarding the future and
those it serves, a pledge to treat others with respect, and a
promise to strive for excellence in every undertaking.
For more information visit www.tcbhc.org on the Internet.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
138

The Montgomery County Texas Republican Party was
founded in 1952, when Dwight Eisenhower’s presidential
victory and the patronage system of the time created enough
interest in the Party to warrant the appointment of a County
Chair and six Precinct Chairs. Thanks to the work of the
organization, Eisenhower’s 1956 presidential victory margin
in Montgomery County was 798 votes—an increase of
330 votes from the previous election year. A 1961 special
election in which John G. Tower replaced newly minted
President Lyndon B. Johnson as U.S. Senator further ignited
interest in the Republican Party throughout Texas and
Montgomery County.
Phillip Dickinson, an engineer with Sun Oil Company,
was appointed County Chair in 1962 and, under his leadership,
the first Republican Primary election was held in May
of that year. When Dickinson’s company transferred him,
James L. Young, a Humble Oil Company engineer, became
his successor and held the position until 1964. That same
year, the Republican Primary received 105 votes and
Dr. Walter “Wally” Wilkerson, Jr., a Conroe physician, was
elected County Chair, an office he still holds. County
Republicans campaigned for State Representative nominee
Leo T. Jones, Republican presidential nominee Barry
Goldwater, and U.S. Senate nominee George H. W. Bush.
As a result of the Goldwater and Bush campaign, a permanent
GOP headquarters opened in 1965 in Conroe at
308 Collins Street, adjacent to the more expansive facility at
310 Collins (now Metcalf) Street, which was acquired in 1994.
In order to build a stronger, more competitive County
Party, 4 Republican candidates were recruited in 1966 to
challenge Democrats for 3 county offices and 1 precinct
office. None polled more than thirty percent of the vote, but
they blazed a trail for additional candidates in future elections.
Throughout the 1960s and most of the 1970s, the
Republican Party grew in numbers and influence. In 1970,
George H. W. Bush won the county in his second unsuccessful
bid for U.S. Senator, and in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon
carried the county with more than seventy-seven percent
of the vote against Democrat George McGovern, the first
in a series of Republican presidential victories through
2012, when Governor Mitt Romney received 79.15 percent
of the vote against Barack Obama.
In 1978, Texas elected William
Clements, the first Republican
Governor since Reconstruction,
and Justice of the Peace Pat Ruffin,
the first Republican elected to
a County office in more than
a century. The first Republican
County Commissioner was elected
in 1980, followed by a second
Commissioner and the first
Republican District Judge in 1982.
Republicans won a majority on the
Commissioners Court and elected
its first non-judicial countywide
officeholder, the county attorney in
1984. Highlights in the decades
that followed included an upset
win in the County Judge’s race and a sweep of all three
County Court at Law judgeships in 1986, a Republican
win of all the District judgeships in the County in 1990 and
1992 and wins from U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
and gubernatorial candidate George W. Bush in 1994.
The Montgomery County Texas Republican Party’s mission
is to maintain a strong, credible, competitive County Party
organization that will attract capable candidates who will
govern fairly and competently while promoting Republican
values and principles. For more information, visit the
organization’s website at www.mcrp.org.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
TEXAS REPUBLICAN PARTY
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
139

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
GOVERNMENT
By Judge Craig Doyal
With roughly eighty percent of our county’s residents living
in unincorporated Montgomery County, the Montgomery
County Commissioners Court and county government
function as the lead government agency for most of its
570,000 residents.
Add to that the distinction of being the seventh-fastest
growing county in the nation, we face a tremendous responsibility
to provide the highest and best in public services to
our constituents, at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers.
As your County Judge, I preside over Commissioners’ Court
and serve as chief executive officer of county government.
Having previously served as county commissioner of Precinct
2 from 2001 to 2014, I have learned that one of the keys
to keeping our quality of life is our economic development
program to attract new industries and corporations. That has
enabled us to broaden our county’s tax base and maintain an
affordable cost of living for the residents of this community.
As a fourth generation Montgomery County resident,
and a husband, father and grandfather, it is as important to
me as it is to you to have a community where our children
are challenged to learn, encouraged to seek their dreams
and are supported with facilities and services that are
conducive to a safe and nourishing environment. If all of
us work together we can accomplish these goals.
We have a tremendous history here in Montgomery
County, with numerous artifacts from early Indian cultures
indicating the area has been inhabited for more than
10,000 years. According to The Handbook of Texas Online, in
December 1837, the Republic of Texas Congress established
its third county, Montgomery County, named after its largest
settlement. The county’s present boundaries were established
in 1870 after the creation of Waller County to the southwest.
Montgomery County is known as the birthplace of the Lone
Star Flag because its designer, Charles B. Stewart, represented
Montgomery County in the Texas House of Representatives
and lived in the town of Montgomery.
Montgomery County provides vital government services
to all residents of this county, including county roads and
bridges, law enforcement services through our Sheriff’s
Department and Constables, courts, county parks, a county
library system, and of course, the Conroe North Houston
Regional Airport. Montgomery County is governed by
your Montgomery County Commissioners Court, which is
proud to ensure our wide variety of county departments
have the resources they need to serve this thriving county.
Once again, welcome to Montgomery County. We are
glad you are here. Please feel free to contact me or my staff
if you need assistance.
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
140

Wayne Bergstrom of Montgomery,
Texas, was a devoted supporter of
The Salvation Army. He was born on
August 1, 1932, in a Salvation Army
Hospital located in Des Moines,
Iowa. He graduated in 1950 from
East High School before transferring
to Drake University. As a junior at
Drake University, he was named the
most valuable member of the Bulldog baseball team. He was
the first person in his family to attend college. These early
years of Wayne’s life set the foundation for the strong caring
and compassionate leader that he was to become later in life.
Wayne married the love of his life, Jean Molsberry, on
June 18, 1954, at the age of twenty-two. Following service in
the United States Army from 1955-1956, Wayne fulfilled
his dream of becoming a teacher. Until his retirement in
1992, Wayne excelled in numerous different positions in the
sports education field of teaching. He retired as the athletic
director at Ballard High School, Iowa. In 1996, Wayne and
Jean moved to Montgomery, Texas, where he lived out his
retirement years.
Wayne had many passions in life, but his ultimate passion
was his family. Wayne and Jean raised three sons together and
they taught the boys to appreciate true family values of being
a family. Wayne would take the boys golfing and shared his
great love of supporting the Iowa State Cyclones with them.
Wayne’s love and appreciation of life was grounded in
the Christian faith. He lived out his faith to love God and his
neighbor. It is because of his and Jean’s great love for the
Lord, which they taught to their sons, they could build
The Wayne Bergstrom Center of Hope.
After moving to Montgomery County, Wayne joined
The Montgomery County Salvation Army Advisory Council.
Quickly, the council saw the leadership abilities and love for
the Lord that Wayne possessed. With this realization, the
council made Wayne their chairman. It was under Wayne’s
council leadership that plans to construct a new shelter
were created to replace the existing overcrowed shelter.
On October 26, 2013, Wayne was promoted to glory and
is today with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as Wayne
clearly witnessed the Christian faith while he was with us, so
his legacy lives on challenging all he encountered to be all
they can be for the Kingdom. His challenge to The Salvation
Army is to be all it can be to help those in greatest need.
Likewise, his legacy continues to live on to challenge clients
to grow in self-sufficiency for themselves, their communities,
and ultimately for the Kingdom.
THE SALVATION ARMY
✩
Left: Wayne Bergstrom.
Below: The Salvation Army Wayne Bergstrom Center of Hope is located
at 301 Avenue E, Conroe, Texas 77301 or mail to P. O. Box 897,
Conroe, Texas 77305.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS
141

Sponsors
ABM International, Inc. ............................................................................................108
BCS Properties ........................................................................................................130
Buckalew Chevrolet, L.P..............................................................................................94
Chocolate Passion ....................................................................................................132
Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company.............................................................................126
Consolidated Communications, Inc..............................................................................104
East Montgomery Improvement District .......................................................................114
Eickenhorst Funeral Services .....................................................................................116
Greater Conroe Economic Development Council.............................................................128
Homewood Suites by Hilton ® Houston-Woodlands ............................................................98
John Wiesner, Inc.....................................................................................................137
Lake Conroe Association ...........................................................................................110
Lone Star College ....................................................................................................102
Montgomery County Constable’s Office Precinct 3 .........................................................133
Montgomery County Fair Association ..........................................................................122
Montgomery County Government ................................................................................140
Montgomery County Texas Republican Party.................................................................139
Owner Builder Network ® ...........................................................................................135
Pizza Shack ............................................................................................................120
Sacred Heart Catholic Church ....................................................................................134
San Jacinto River Authority.........................................................................................90
Soules Insurance Agency ...........................................................................................112
Southwestern Imaging Systems & Service .....................................................................124
Spirit of Texas Bank...................................................................................................84
State Representative Will Metcalf ...............................................................................131
The J. Beard Real Estate Company ..............................................................................136
The Salvation Army .................................................................................................141
The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership ................................................129
The Woodlands Development Company.........................................................................118
Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare...............................................................................138
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4709 ............................................................................106
LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
142

About the Photographer and Author
K IMBERLY
S UTTON
Kimberly Sutton first moved to Montgomery County in 1980 and graduated from Conroe High School in 1985. Born in
Lubbock, Texas, Kimberly has lived all over Texas; from Fort Stockton to Stafford and from Sugar Land to Waxahachie and
back to Conroe again. She graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism
and broadcasting. She met her husband Rick Sutton, a native of Montgomery County, during a summer visit home before
going back to college. They were married in Conroe and have also lived in Costa Rica and Paraguay. She and her husband
have three children; Kayla and her husband Chris Muñoz, Rachael and Josiah, with all living in Conroe.
When she is not out photographing people and events, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, having a
cup of coffee with a friend or volunteering at her church, All Nations Worship Center in Conroe.
You can friend her on Facebook at Kimberly Morgan Sutton, follow her on Twitter at KimberlyMSutton and like her
Facebook page—The Roving Reporter. Her photos of people and places of Montgomery County and other photos can be
purchased at www.kimberlymsutton.com.
✩
Kimberly Sutton.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND AUTHOR
143

LONE STAR LIFE—Images of Montgomery County
144

ISBN: 978-1-944891-41-1
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