houston proud

I grew up in a small, tight-knit neighborhood in East Houston called El Dorado, nestled between the Denver Harbor and North Shore communities. It was my grandfather, Alfred, who first settled there after returning from the Korean War. He chose the area for its lush, wooded landscape, a perfect place to start a family. Over time, that quiet, working-class community grew alongside Houston's industrial heart. The Port, oil and gas companies, and countless 18-wheelers still drive the city's economy, a constant reminder of the hard work that has shaped East Houston and, by extension, the entire city.

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My mother, Teresa, a single parent, raised me in the converted garage of my grandparents' home. I never saw it as a hardship. Life was full of fun, with neighborhood kids playing outside until the streetlights came on. My grandmother, Lillian, worked at the local church, so when I wasn't at school or playing, I was there, lending a hand. It was my mom who discovered St. Thomas High School, a private college-prep school in the River Oaks area. Despite not being able to afford the tuition, she wasn't deterred. Through her persistence and some tuition assistance, I was able to graduate from St. Thomas in 1994.

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After high school, I joined the U.S. Army, inspired by my grandfather's love for his country and a desire to pay for college. I served as both a Finance Clerk and a Radio Operator before returning to Houston. I worked at AT&T (then Southwestern Bell) while earning my BA at night from the University of Houston-Downtown. In 2010, I was commissioned as a military officer in the Army Reserve, serving in the Quartermaster (Logistics) Branch. I am currently developing a dissertation for a PhD in Public Administration focusing on leadership and ethics.

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My wife, Tammy, and I are now raising two amazing young ladies, Adalia and Amelia. We live in the First Ward, in a house built in 1901 that's a constant work in progress. I'm proud to have been part of this neighborhood long before it became the popular, vibrant community it is today.

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My journey has led me to a clear purpose: to give back, to be part of the solution, and to help others. My goal is to do my part in keeping our city and nation safe and to teach my daughters that their future success is deeply rooted in the very fabric of Houston.