< Previous20 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2019 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) OF GALVESTON COUNTYAlice Kent, 29Advocacy team leaderWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? After majoring in political science, I considered being a teacher or professor, working in politics or government in some way, or going to law school to be an attorney. I knew law school would open my eyes to different experiences and opportunities and having that degree under my belt would be an asset regardless of whether I practiced law. That path ended up being a great decision. I had a variety of internships in law school — a judicial internship with a newly appointed federal court judge, an internship with a nonprofit legal firm in Washington, D.C., an internship at a family law firm, and a clerkship at a “big law” firm doing corporate law, transactions and property disputes. My most rewarding experience was in Washington, D.C., where the firm represented individuals with disabilities and their families. I liked the nonprofit aspect of the job as it seemed less competitive with no billable hours and everyone worked closely as a team. I knew I wanted to do something similar — helping people and seeing the impact of my work in improving people’s lives.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? For most of my childhood, I wanted to be a teacher. Throughout high school, I wanted to be a doctor. But I realized the sciences were consistently my worst subjects and if I majored in biology or chemistry, I probably wouldn’t make it through college.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? When I was a toddler, I followed my mom around the flower and gift shop she owned, pulling flowers out of the refrigerator and recommending them to customers. As I got older, I frequented my dad’s various elementary schools where he was the principal. I would help with events and help teachers in their classrooms. I would also help with school functions, like carnivals and theater productions (I was the curtain attendant for “Annie”). In high school and college, I became a nanny for close family friends and taught tennis lessons to children at our local club.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My parents told me at a young age to always stay true to myself. Through new experiences and new life chapters, I have always reminded myself of that and focused on maintaining the character of who I am. LIVES: DICKINSON WORKS: SIGNATURE EYE CENTERLaura Koehler, 37DoctorWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I decided that I wanted to be an eye doctor during my junior year in high school. It all started with my St. Anthony’s CCE teacher, Deacon Gerald Peltier, handing out a document with lots of professions named. He said we needed to start thinking about our futures, and start planning if we hadn’t already. The words “eye doctor” literally jumped off the page at me. I started to think about my own hometown eye doc, Teresa Peck, and how she was a member of our church and well loved by everyone. Oh, and she drove a Lexus. From that point, I determined what education I needed and set the wheels in motion to get here.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I wanted to work at AstroWorld.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? At 15, I started waiting tables in my dad’s restaurant, EJ’s, in Danbury. I waited tables full time after school and on weekends until I went off to college, and when I came home for breaks. I honestly still have bad dreams about spilling tea on someone or running out of ranch dressing.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My high school marketing teacher, Harry Barrett, was a proud Baylor grad. He introduced me to Baylor University, and I fell in love with it. Attending Baylor was the greatest decision I could have made, not only for the renowned education, but I met my husband, Justin, and so many life-long friends.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love peeking into so many worlds each day. I talk with each patient not only about their eye care, but about life. We discuss our days, our weekend plans, our travels, our families. We watch each other’s families grow, and we share in each other’s joys and struggles. I really see my patients and my incredible office team like my family.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and you can’t take that personally.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Taking our kids Maddox and Briles around the neighborhood on their bikes, or jumping on the trampoline together is always a nice wind-down from the day. 2019 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 21 LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL DISASTER SERVICESWilliam Kreuzer, 26Construction cost analystWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I have been involved with remodel and construction from a very young age. Through my parents’ experience in real estate and their tenure of being landlords, I developed countless tradesman skills. These skills and knowledge of the trade led me to the field of long-term disaster recovery. The journey to where I am at started in Canton, Ohio, where I was born and raised. Having a construction background, I watched the destruction of Hurricane Harvey and knew I had to get down here as soon as possible. I knew the skills I had accumulated over the past 25 years were going to be crucial in the rehabilitation process. And I couldn’t just sit around and hope for recovery — I wanted to be that hope. So, I packed up and traveled 1,300 miles to Houston, not knowing a single soul. Once I arrived in Seabrook, I took to Craigslist to find anyone who needed an extra hand. Within a short time, I was hired with a remodeling contractor and began running a remodel crew. I also joined the Seabrook Rotary, where I met a man named Rob Hefener, who invited me to join a group called SERVE. SERVE is a coalition comprised of veteran service organizations that come together to find solutions for veterans in need. Through this, I have contributed countless volunteer hours to getting veterans back into their homes. Because of these efforts, I was recruited as a construction cost analyst for St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services. And I plan to stay in this field for a very long time.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Growing up, my main goal was to always be a hard worker.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? At 16, my first job was a cook at KFC.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice I ever received was from a pastor in Jackson Township, Ohio, and he told me, “You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.”WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite part of my job is to be out in the community every day, and seeing the look on people’s faces when they find out you might be able to help them. LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: GREER, HERZ & ADAMS, LLPEmily Krone, 30Associate attorneyWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I have a passion for learning and for helping people. Getting a higher educational degree was always important to me. I knew if it wasn’t a JD I’d be getting some sort of graduate degree, and I still think about going back for an MBA. Additionally, as an attorney, I am grateful to be able to represent people who cannot represent themselves and therefore help others on a daily basis. I also enjoy problem-solving as well as reading and writing; therefore, becoming an attorney made a lot of sense for my personal goals as well as personality.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I spent a majority of my childhood singing and dancing and wanted to be a Broadway star! Along the way I also cycled through wanting to be a marine biologist, doctor, actuary (that one still boggles my mind), barista and State Department diplomat.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? For my first job, I was hired at 14 to sing and dance in the country show at AstroWorld (for anyone worried about child labor laws, I was 15 by the time I started the job and there was an entertainment field exception to our state’s typical 16-year-old minimum). I worked 40 hours per week the entire summer and was paid well over minimum wage. Plus, I rode the rides for free on breaks. It was a great gig!WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My mom and stepmom are huge influences and heroes of mine. Both are working, professional women who instilled in me essentially the same ultimate truth: You are the best advocate for yourself; you are the only one who can, and you are in the most advantageous position to, know exactly what is best for you. This advice holds true as a young, professional woman more than I ever thought it would.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite things about my job are the people with whom I work and the work-life balance the firm provides. Our firm has some of the most amazing and dedicated staff and it is an absolute honor to lead and work side-by-side with them daily. The firm where I work is also very flexible and understanding when it comes to making time for family and other personal matters, which is very important for a mother of a young son.KREUZER PHOTO BY JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS22 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2019CongratulationsAlice Kent!From your friendsat Better Parks for Galveston.We are so proud of you! Thank you foryour hard workimproving the livesin our community.Lov, yourTexas Firs Ban familyWe’re proud of all your accomplishments!Congrats,Shanno! LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: FAMILY SERVICE CENTER OF GALVESTON COUNTYLindsay Lell, 27Events and marketing coordinatorWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I have always found myself hosting events, getting creative, making connections and being involved in the community. These are all things I am passionate about, which makes what I do that much more rewarding.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I have always believed it’s the little things in life that often make the biggest impact in peoples’ lives, including my own. Growing up, I thought if I could make a career out of doing random acts of kindness or bringing a smile to someone’s face every day, I would! I also went through a phase of wanting to be a pet caretaker for movie stars and a race car driver ... if we are talking specifics. Ha!WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was babysitting for all of my mom’s teacher-friends as well as working at a local ice cream and snow cone shop. I can make a pretty mean snow cone.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Always be learning and don’t take yourself too seriously. I hear this advice all the time and it is so true! Don’t ever close yourself off to opportunities to learn or better yourself. It is also important to take moments to enjoy where you are in life, be proud of how far you have come, and remember that no one is perfect. It’s okay to laugh at your mistakes and learn from them.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite part about working for Family Service Center is, of course, supporting our amazing therapists and spreading the word about the mental health services they provide to children, individuals and families in our community. Every day, I have an incredible opportunity to make an impact, build relationships and have fun while doing it.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? You do not have to have everything figured out when you first start your career. Know that it takes experiences to learn what you like and what fits. Take on challenges and be open-minded to opportunities that come your way. Everyone has to start somewhere.LELL, LYNCH AND MAJOR PHOTOS BY JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS 2019 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 23 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: GALVESTON ISLAND CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAUAntoinette Lynch, 40Destination services coordinator, CTAWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? It was an organic fit for my personality and relationships with our island partners.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? An actor on Broadway.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Summer museum guide at South Park City Museum in Fairplay, Colorado.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? My father told me that relationships are like gardens, the ones that grow and bare fruit when we’re hungry are the ones we feed and water on a daily basis.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? No one day is like another and every day is filled with creative and logistic problem solving for me.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? How much I would love it. I would’ve been far more sure of my path and started down it sooner.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? Is it cliché to say my parents? They instilled a work ethic, moral compass and sense of humor in me that I would be nothing without. Also, this gets printed in the paper and will give me one up on my siblings ... look ma ... I’m your favorite.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I love getting as much of my family in one place and breaking bread and destroying them all on game nights. #nomercyWHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? The Tony Awards are named after my great-grandmother, Antoinette Perry, the original Chairman of the Board of The American Theatre Wing.HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? I hope to continue my education and understanding of tourism and creative partnerships and I hope to never settle with being current, I want to be innovative.IF YOU COULDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? I would own a bakery. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: THE PROLETARIAT GALLERY & PUBLIC HOUSE/ NATIONAL HOTEL ARTIST LOFTS (ARTSPACE)Becky Major, 37Co-owner/creative directorWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? Pure passion.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Interior designer.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Cashier at Big Chief Grocery Store in Santa Fe.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Listen and learn from every conversation and experience.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Creative problem solving.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I’m a little stubborn at times and attempt to do things on my own. As time passes, I’m getting better at taking assistance when it is offered.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My parents. They have always taught me to be kind, work hard and always have goals to work towards. My mom has always supported my creative thinking and my dad has taught me how to execute it. Growing up, both of my parents would show me how things work and how to use tools to bring projects to fruition.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I put glitter on things.WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I have an obsession with glitter and gold.HOW DO YOU HOPE TO GROW IN YOUR CAREER? I grow in my career as the city of Galveston grows. We are at a unique time in Galveston with the growth that is happening daily. The city is working together, supporting the arts, and becoming a destination for tourists while connecting our local creative community.IF YOU COULDN’T DO WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? This is a hard one as I can’t imagine my life any other way than where it is. I’ve built deep creative connections and have planted roots in a place that I feel fortunate to call home.24 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2019 LIVES: LEAGUE CITY WORKS: LA MARQUE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONColleen Martin Merritt, 36Public relations specialistWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I’m one of those lucky people who has always known what I want to do. I’ve always been fascinated by public affairs and marketing.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I wanted to be a veterinarian until the age of 12. While attending “take your daughter to work day” with my dad, I met Phyllis Bledsoe, the director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston. Everything changed that day. I found my calling.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? McVay’s Pizza and Subs in Santa Fe at the age of 15. I begged my parents to let me work because I wanted to start saving for a Chevelle and a cellphone. I got the cellphone ... still working on the Chevelle.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Just do the right thing. Words of wisdom from my daddy, Arthur Jay Martin.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? It’s our people. I work for the people of La Marque and helping them is my favorite part of the job. That and seeing the steady positive change happening in La Marque is immensely gratifying.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? We should always strive to meet aggression with compassion and information.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? Pat Spence was our Student Publications advisor at Stephen F. Austin State University when I was an editor for our college newspaper, The Pine Log. Pat is kind and brilliant. She is a problem-solver and a people-connector. She let us make mistakes and helped us learn from them. Pat had big-city jobs in the field of public relations before she became a professor at SFA. I hope to follow in her footsteps and become an educator later in my career.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? I find relaxation on the water, in the water or by the water. I also enjoy gardening and traveling.GalvNews.com/PressRun 409-683-5260OCTOBER 26, 2019REGISTER NOW!Conquer the Causeway in the 8th Annual Run/Walk 2019 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 25Congrats to our Assistant Executive Director LeslieOrnelas! 40 Under 402019Honoree 2800 Texas Ave.Texas City 409-948-4211uwgcm.org LIVES: TEXAS CITY WORKS: UNITED WAY GALVESTON COUNTY MAINLANDLeslie Ornelas, 38Assistant executive directorWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? There is a saying that sometimes a job finds you, not the other way around. This is true in my case. Twelve years ago, I received help from a United Way agency when I had no one else to turn to. That agency later offered me a job as the Social Service Case Manager, and I quickly became acquainted with the nonprofit groups in Galveston County. A few years later, a position became available with United Way and I was able to use my experience as a client and case manager to join their team.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? When I was little, I wanted to be a teacher. I enjoyed school, and some of my best memories were with classmates on the playground. My fascination for helping others started at an early age after a very special teacher helped me through some tough times.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was waitressing when I was 15. I enrolled in a work-study program my freshman year of high school that allowed me to work in the afternoon. Not only did this program give me the opportunity to develop soft skills that I needed, but it also allowed me to help my family financially.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Never accept no from someone who does not have the authority to say yes.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I enjoy helping clients in the community on a daily basis. Connecting someone in need with a vital resource and making an impact on their life is incredibly rewarding.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Be confident in your decisions, regardless of the result. Failure will only break you if you see it as a loss. Instead, view loss as an opportunity to improve and grow by learning from the mistakes you make.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? When I have time away from work and school, I enjoy spending time with my family. My weekends are typically devoted to my schoolwork, so every minute I can get to spend time with my family is something that I treasure.ORNELAS PHOTO BY JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS26 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2019 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCHJohn Prochaska, 39Assistant professorWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? From a very early age, I dreamed of being a small-town country doctor. Everything about the human body fascinated me. But, while I was in college and had the opportunity to shadow physicians in their practice, I began to wonder, why were their patients sick to begin with. This led me to the field of public health — the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities, which (in part) aims to keep (or delay) people from getting sick (or sicker) to begin with.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? As a child, I had an annoyingly broad range of interests, but I always came back to the idea of wanting to help those who were sick. In my head, this meant becoming a small-town general practice doctor (although physical therapy had my eye for some time, as well).WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was mowing lawns in my childhood neighborhood. I would regularly mow a few of the empty lots, as well as the neighbor’s yard across the street. I’d also took care of the neighbor’s dog when they went on their vacations.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? There are three pieces of advice I carry with me every day. One, from my junior high school principal: “Take each day one day at a time.” From my eighth-grade coach and later mentor in high school: “It’s not the strongest, but those that best adapt, that survive.” Finally, from my father (quoting my great-grandfather): “If you don’t have something positive to say, it’s often best to not say anything.”WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Every morning, I get to walk onto a campus with some of the most amazing and talented people who work every day to ensure that our patients, our community, our state, our nation and the entire world are as healthy as possible, are protected from the threats of disease, and are able to live in healthy environments. Then, later in the day, I’ll probably have the chance to interact with some of our numerous community partners, all of whom are working just as tirelessly and doing just as incredible work. Because I have the privilege of being able to work with all of these fantastic people, I consider myself blessed. LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: SALTWATER-RECON.COMUrs Schmid, 35President/CEOWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? Even as a child, I have always had a love and fascination with the ocean. Boating and fishing have been a part of my life since I was a boy, and I have been blessed to be able to turn that part of my life into a business. Entrepreneurship has always been a goal of mine. Being able to be my own boss and create something from the ground up has always attracted me. I love the freedom and artistic expression allowed by being able to build something that no one has ever done before and really make it what I envision. Of course, a lot of credit goes out to my wife, Megan Schmid, and best friend and partner, Broc Adams. I wouldn’t be here without them.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Growing up, I had always wanted to follow in my Dad’s footsteps to become a chef.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was directing parking on Stewart Beach in Galveston at 15. I’d wear my orange vest and tell cars where to line up ... baking all summer long!WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? I remember hearing this from many of my teachers growing up: Question everything. Never be afraid to ask why or how. Never stop learning and learn to form your own opinions. Don’t just accept any reality that is handed to you.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My business gives me the freedom to work from anywhere and the opportunity to meet and work with all kinds of people — many of them leaders and entrepreneurs of exciting and unique businesses. It also allows me the opportunity to volunteer by sitting on the board of directors for the Galveston Naval Museum. I really enjoy my duties as the Communications Committee chairman.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? I wish I had really known the importance of being a self starter. Knowing that you get out what you put in. I would have studied much harder earlier on. This sounds so cliche, but knowledge really is power, and being smarter than the next guy gives you an edge in life and in business.SCHMID PHOTO BY JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS 2019 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 27 LIVES: LA MARQUE WORKS: AMOCO FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONJeremy Silva, 33CFOWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? When I was a kid, I would count the money in my piggy bank over and over again. While, I don’t actually see any money anymore, I have always been drawn to numbers and so the finance industry is something that I love. Beyond that, I love giving back and working with the communities that I live in. AMOCO and the credit union industry as a whole allow me to live out both of those passions at the same time.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? When I was growing up, I wanted to be a professional athlete like most every other kid. I played baseball, basketball or football almost every day. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very good at any of them, and this dream faded as I grew older.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My very first job was working at Lee Auctioneers in La Marque. I worked there on Saturdays and auction nights moving stuff around and helping out for a year or two when I was 13-14.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? That no matter what you do in life, give it your all. Even though its really difficult to always do, it makes an incredible difference in every aspect of life.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? Currently my role as CFO allows me to work with a variety of employees at various career stages, ages and areas of expertise. My favorite part of the job is working with each of these individuals to help them develop and accomplish what they want to achieve. Professional development and training is a passion of mine.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Like most kids out of high school, I just wish I had known what I actually wanted to do in my career so that I wouldn’t have wasted so much time before moving into it.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? While I have had many very good mentors, both in the past and present, my greatest mentor would be my dad. Although he passed away in 2011, he taught me hard work, dedication, commitment and selflessness among hundreds of other life principles that I live by every single day. LIVES: CITY WORKS: PARKER ELEMENTARY AND BOOKS WITHIN REACH FOUNDERSara Smart, 34Teacher and founderWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? I had an amazing fourth-grade teacher named Nancy Geistweidt who fostered my love of reading and showed me what it was like to treat your students like family. Whenever I think of the first teacher who made me want to become a teacher, I always remember her and her classroom.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher or a doctor.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was working at Brazos Valley Christian Bookstore in Bryan, Texas, as a sales associate.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Know and follow Jesus.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite thing about my classroom teacher job is building relationships with my students and helping them flourish. With Books Within Reach, I enjoy hosting Community Celebrations and getting to know the members of the community and sharing my love of books.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Since this is not my first career, I now know that dreams change and grow as people change and grow. Your first career field will not always be the one you stay in forever, and that’s okay.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? I think I have been blessed with different mentors at different stages in life. Right now, my biggest mentors would be Linda Ercole-Musso and Ed Sulzberger. They run an incredible nonprofit called African Childrens Haven. They have shown me what it looks like to embrace life, love well and dream big. Books Within Reach would not be what it is today without their help and guidance.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Enjoying an evening at Trattoria La Vigna with good food, friends and wine is one of my favorite ways to relax. You can also find me at home enjoying a good book or down the street at my sister’s house playing with my nephews.Santa Fe TexasEducationFoundationCongratulationsJason Tabor is a founding board member of our Foundation, and we congratulate him on this award!Santa Fe Fire and Rescue would like to congratulate our Mayor Jason Tabor, Galveston County Daily News 40 under 40 honoree. We are so proud to serve in this amazing community with you.28 | The Daily News | 40 Under 40 | 2019 LIVES: SANTA FE WORKS: CITY OF SANTA FE AND DW FLORALS AND GIFTSJason Tabor, 39Mayor and business ownerWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? For business, I chose to be self employed to have control of my destiny. I figured I’m not scared to work seven days a week if needed, so why not do it for myself and become wealthy instead of making someone else wealthy with my time. As mayor, I saw an outcry for new leadership in my community after Hurricane Harvey, so I stepped up and ran and won my election in May 2018.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was really young. Later, in high school, I truly wanted to pursue a career as an entrepreneur.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first job was in high school and I worked at Red Cap Restaurant in Santa Fe. Six years later, I actually bought it when I was only 24 and ran it successfully for over 12 years.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? Always treat everyone with respect. I always shake the janitor’s hand the same as the CEO because one day they could trade spots.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? As mayor, I truly feel that I am making a real difference. I want my kids and grandkids to be proud of what I can and will do for our amazing city. As a businessman, I love serving on multiple charity boards and giving back what I’ve learned with my time and money.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? Learn how to balance your time. Learn to enjoy life a little; it can’t always be about work and business. Also, teach yourself to take a vacation; make it a must instead of a want, one or two times a year no matter what.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? Arthur “A.A.” Autry was my greatest mentor. He invested in me when I was only 21 years old. He saw something in me and helped me become the man I am today. He was there for me during some of the worst times in my life and also praised me during my best times. I only wished he had lived a few more months to be able to swear me in as mayor. Rest in peace Arthur. See you on the other side one day.TABOR AND WILLIAMS PHOTOS BY JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWSCongratulations Mayor Jason TaborThank you for your strong leadership and commitment to the community.Proud of all you do for Santa Fe! Board of Directors www.sftxbeautiful.orgCongratulations Mandy JordanExecutive DirectorCongratulationsJASON TABORon an honor well deserved. Greg Gardner, Agentwww.greggardnerinsurance.comBus: 409-925-251113119 Hwy 6Santa Fe, TX 77510CongratulationsEmily KroneOne Moody Plaza, 18th Floor, Galveston, TX 77550409-797-3200 2019 | 40 Under 40 | The Daily News | 29 LIVES: GALVESTON WORKS: TEXAS GULF CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC.Zach Williams, 35Vice PresidentWHY DID YOU GO INTO YOUR PARTICULAR FIELD? It’s all I have really ever known. I started off with the company sweeping the shop floors when I was 16 years old, and just slowly worked my way up.AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Like most children, I dreamed of being a professional athlete. Honestly, I wanted to pursue something that I could be successful and good at doing.WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My brothers and I grew up participating in the Junior Guards program, so my first job was lifeguarding at the Galveston Yacht Basin.WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? If you do the right and honest thing, more likely than not you will prevail.WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? No day is the same. There are constantly new challenges and obstacles to overcome.WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR CAREER? That’s a tough question — a lot. You learn from the mistakes and experiences, try to improve, and that makes you who you are. Wish I had known that it is all part of the process.WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? I’ve been fortunate to have multiple mentors and role models throughout different stages of my life. My constants have been Wade Williams, father; John Kelso, stepfather; and Joe Betancourt, father-in-law. Between those three, they have taught me work ethic, honesty and integrity, business acumen and how to be a family man.WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Work takes most of my time, but I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids as much as possible.WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW? I try to come off as calm and laid back, but my mind is constantly racing. Whether I’m trying to figure out how to resolve an issue or anticipate a future one, I’m not good at leaving it all behind when I leave the office.Next >