There are three things you should know about me besides my wildfire experience.

• I have a family that has enriched my life beyond measure.  I have been married to Holly for 35 years.  Hillary is 30 and the mother of Benjamin, age 2.  Amelia is 24 and Miranda is 22.  We are tight knit and live close to one another in the Austin and Bastrop County area.

• After I stopped making pottery, I embarked on an eclectic career in politics and public policy.  I worked in the Texas Senate in the late 1980s, was the chief elected official of Bastrop County from 1991-1994, and twice worked for the state health department in its various forms for a total of seven years.  My proudest professional accomplishment is working with my close friend and colleague, Julian Cooke, in designing and running the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Texas.  Our work, and that our of small team, brought health care to over a half-million children and peace of mind to their parents.  I am currently an independent consultant specializing in government-sponsored health programs.

• I am a Texan by choice and have lived in Bastrop County for my entire adult life except for the one-year forced exile in Austin.  While I second-guess this decision each year for about 4 weeks in the teeth of summer, I love my community and am grateful to be moving back.  Significant resources are still needed and I hope and trust the state will see the need and help meet it.