Published: January 26, 2008 09:01 pm            

Walker County’s Gaines takes office as H-GAC chairman

Several residents from Walker County spent an elegant evening at the Houston-Galveston Area Council General Assembly Meeting, but one person in particular had the pleasure of accepting a new position that he described as a highlight of his career — Precinct 1 Commissioner B.J. Gaines Jr.

Gaines was officially installed as chairman of the H-GAC board during the meeting at the Founders Ballroom of the Intercontinental Houston Hotel.

An H-GAC board member since 1998, Gaines served as chair-elect for the past year.

Other new officers include Kerry Neves, a councilman from Dickinson, installed as vice chairman and Al Jamison, Colorado County Judge, installed as the new chair-elect.

Gaines said the occasion was an overwhelming experience.

“It’s a fantastic honor,” Gaines said. “This is all kind of staggering for me. I’ve always tried to surround myself with people I could look up to and people who are dedicated to their work to learn from them.

“I pledge to serve Walker County and the region as a whole in a way that honors God and serves the people. This is a great challenge and a great opportunity.”

Gaines stepped in as chairman in the place of Addie Wisemen of the Houston City Council.

Gaines’ wife, Mary Ann, said it was a very meaningful evening.

“I’m very proud of B.J.,” she said. “He’s worked so hard and his mother and father would be so proud.”

As chairman of the board, Gaines will be able to take his many years of knowledge and leadership to guide the future endeavors of the H-GAC.

The voluntary organization, dedicated to public service, is comprised of 132 local governments in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning region of Texas.

These counties include Walker, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Chambers, Colorado, Wharton, Austin, Matagorda and Brazoria.

There are 35 local elected officials who serve on the H-GAC board of directors.

Each representative, according to Gaines, has an alternate representative — County Judge Danny Pierce is an alternate for Walker County.

Pierce installed the new officers during the meeting.

Gaines, who began his service to the H-GAC as an alternate representative for Walker County in 1989, said it all began with his good friend and past Walker County Commissioner Joe Malak.

“Joe has been my mentor for many years,” Gaines said. “I want to thank him for introducing me to the H-GAC.”

Malak, who also served as H-GAC chair in 1992, said he has full confidence in Gaines.

“I know B.J. will do a good job,” Malak said. “He’s very knowledgeable and he takes everything he does and does it well.”

During the meeting, Gaines said he was proud to introduce Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan).

“Sen. Ogden is our hero,” Gaines said. “He’s my champion and I want to thank him for all he’s done for the state, H-GAC and for Walker County. He’s the example we all like to think we might reach.”

Ogden said he was pleased with the installation of new officers.

“I want to congratulate B.J. on his elevation to the position of chairman,” Ogden said. “I enjoy representing Huntsville and Walker County.”

Ogden also spoke to the H-GAC crowd about what he said were three critical issues — child care and transportation in Texas and the war on terror.

Gaines presented Ogden with a plaque for fine stewardship of the state of Texas on behalf of the H-GAC association.

Wiseman, who also addressed H-GAC members, said she was proud of the important issues that were tackled by H-GAC in 2007 and looked forward to the future.

“This staff and organization is a model that other regions try to mirror,” Wiseman said. “It’s truly been a pleasure to work under Jack Steele (H-GAC executive director) and with the entire council. It’s been a tremendous honor and the highlight of my six years on the Houston City Council.

“B.J. is wonderful. He brings leadership that puts people at ease. I tend to have a motherly nature with everything I’m involved in and I feel like I’m leaving my baby — the H-GAC — in good hands.”

Others attending the meeting from Walker County were Gaines’ wife, Mary Ann, and two daughters, Katie Metcalf and Jennifer Gaines and her fiancé, Dale Kimich; Judge Pierce; Precinct 3 Commissioner Buddy Reynolds; Precinct 4 Commissioner Tim Paulsel; Mayor J. Turner; city councilmember Jim Willett; Joe Malak; Walker County engineer Jerry Nemec; and administrative secretary to the commissioners Sonya Tennant.

Gaines said he was ready to begin.

“It’s been in my wildest dreams to be where I am and to be the chair of H-GAC,” Gaines said. “I hope to meet all the challenges ahead. I have great confidence in this group and I know we’ll make it through and do great things.”

The first H-GAC meeting with Gaines residing as chairman is scheduled for Feb. 19 in Houston.

        

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