Notable Bay Area Houston leader and businessman, Chris Reed, is throwing his hat in the ring, running for the District 2 School Board Trustee position for Clear Creek Independent School District.
The seat becomes vacant for the May 2017 election when current board member, Win Weber, who is not seeking reelection, completes her term.
“The entire CCISD community would greatly benefit by having Chris as a member of the board of trustees,” said Dee Scott, former CCISD Board president. “His outstanding performance record as a 25-year government employee, along with the extensive experience he has from innumerable CCISD committees and community service organizations, makes him ideally suited for this position.”
Reed is currently the interim chief of police for the City of Kemah, a temporary role he took on to assist the department as they conducted a search for a permanent chief. He recently retired from the City of Nassau Bay as city manager, a position he held since 2009.
His law enforcement career began in 1991 with the League City Police Department, where he progressed through the ranks, serving as assistant chief of police and, later, city administrator. Reed also served in the U.S Army as a military police officer and was a paratrooper.
CCISD board members are committed to serving the children and citizens of the school district, with the goal of providing a high-quality education that meets the needs of the community.
“Chris is a true champion for our youth,” Scott added. “He has held numerous leadership roles in child-focused philanthropic organizations for nearly two decades, including the Clear Creek Education Foundation, Communities in Schools, Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families, Hope Village, Lion’s Club and several CCISD campus improvement councils and school naming committees.”
25-year resident
Reed thoroughly appreciates the quality of life available in Bay Area Houston and touts the exceptional schools as one of the biggest economic development drivers. “As a member of this community for more than 25 years, I have proudly watched my three children learn and thrive at CCISD,” said Reed. “My wife, Jana, has taught school in the district for 15 years, an employer she considers as part of our family.”
“CCISD deserves the recognition it has received for being ranked the best large school district in the Houston metropolitan area,” Reed said. “With an outstanding academic performance rating and a dropout rate of only 0.3 percent, it is clear that teachers, administrators, staff and parents place an emphasis on quality education throughout our community. However, the rising rate of economically disadvantaged students and the tightening of state budgets are concerning. We need to ensure quality education and associated district services remain available and funded.”
To address funding and its impact on education, Reed seeks to spearhead solutions that include public and private partnerships and more unconventional funding sources to alleviate the burden on taxpayers. He also intends to improve relationships with area municipalities who also draw on the same tax dollars.
“Chris is one of those rare people who has the experience, motivation and contacts to advance our area’s educational system,” said Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner. “His budgetary and strategic planning experience is immensely valuable to the district, and we, as residents and business owners, couldn’t ask for a more astute addition to an already competent board.”
CCISD educates nearly 42,000 students. The District 2 board position is centrally located within CCISD boundaries and includes residents in both Harris and Galveston Counties. While not officially announced, election day is anticipated to be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017. To learn more about Chris Reed and his candidacy, visit www.votechrisreed.com.
About Chris Reed
A passionate leader and youth advocate, Chris Reed has garnered more than 25 years of experience with municipal governments, including 15 years as a city manager and assistant police chief. His business acumen, strategic thinking and dedication to community has been recognized through various awards including the Melvin Jones Fellowship for his commitment to humanitarian work.
He was selected by the Shepperd Leadership Institute of the University of Texas-Permian Basin as Texas’ 2012 Outstanding Local Leader and was a finalist for the University of Houston Public Official of the Year in 2015. Chris is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Master of Science in criminal justice administration. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from LeTourneau University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy Command College.
He owns Chris Reed Consulting, providing local government, business and executive security consulting services. He and his wife of 26 years, Jana, share their lives with three children, Logan, Alexis and Chase.
When not in the office or attending committee meetings, Reed can be found on the wrestling mat where he coaches numerous local youth. He recently founded the Houston Area Wrestling Foundation, an organization that provides opportunities to the area’s lower socio-economic wrestlers. He seeks to help kids improve self-confidence, discipline and good sportsmanship. He believes that these traits lead to enhanced personal responsibility, stronger reasoning skills and a healthier, happier physical and mental wellbeing.
