Please welcome your 2008 Board of Director Candidates

The following statements are excerpts taken from the questionnaire given to each board candidate. Each candidate will speak at the public election meeting on September 6th and tell a little more about themselves, and why they wish to serve as a director of Friends Of the River, San Bernard.

SUZANNE GOODSON

I have been a full time resident of the river for 15 years and take a personal interest in its beauty and preservation. I currently participate in activities such as attending F.O.R meetings, River Raiser, 4th of July and Christmas boat parades, Dock Hop, etc. I also volunteer to work events when asked. I am a very positive person and put 100% into everything I do. I hope to bring some new ideas to the table and look forward to working with the other board members to accomplish anything presented. I think for the young age of this organization, it has accomplished a huge amount of change. I would like to see the enthusiasm continue toward community awareness of the river and F.O.R.and encourage participation to form a stronger organization.I would consider it an honor to serve on the Board and will work hard to uphold the duties bestowed upon me.
 

BILL BARNES

Every person who serves on a Board brings a unique perspective and background of experience. One of my strengths is the ability to handle multiple financial pressures on an organization. I have twenty years of experience in developing and monitoring budgets for hospitals and have some experience in grant writing. I have been very impressed with the Friends Of the River since arriving in Brazoria County. Living on the river has also developed in me a sense of pride in our linear community and sharing in the experience of the beauty of our common thread. . I have been involved in leadership activities since a child in Boy Scouts and as a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. As an adult I have been active in Lions, community communication and emergency management networks, Historical Societies, the Chamber of Commerce in two different communities, and am a HAM radio operator serving in the Brazoria County ARES Network.

 

MARILYN SHOCKLEY

I've participated in the Christmas boat parades over the past 20 years..(since I moved here in 1987). I've attended meetings when the Primeau's started the San Bernard River Foundation.. I participated in the first River clean up..before F.O.R.was set up.. So I feel I know the history and have been a part of it. Mainly why I decided to do this is because my friends and neighbors know I attend meetings and have been a part of F.O.R.- So they ask me questions all the time.. I've caught myself saying ' I don’t know'... This will give me first hand information and ability to ask questions that others or even myself don’t ask during meetings. Many people have questions, but they don’t like to speak up in front of a group.



 

AL ROCO
 I believe the members of the F.O.R. organization have done an outstanding job in accomplishing numerous diverse tasks. The only thing I would like to see change or should I say improve, is the involvement of more members, which includes myself. It is my belief that the goal(s) of F.O.R. should be established by all its members, not necessarily by any one individual. As a member of F.O.R. I would like to see efforts made in protecting the San Bernard River’s watershed. Especially in upstream projects that have the potential to adversely affect water quality, safety, and/or water uses. I have a good understanding of watershed issues and how those issues can adversely affect life of the river and ours. I have over fourteen years of environmental and environmental regulatory experience that includes: water quality, solid waste, and air issues. I will assist the F.O.R. Organization to accomplish today’s and future goals.The members of the F.O.R. Organization have made great strides and sacrifices to protect the river and way of life. I would like to be a part of continuing that effort.

 

WAYNE HEAD
I’m sure before someone was nominated for this board they had many qualifications to justify being considered. As for myself, I was trained by the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. To be an Army engineer. I ended up being a helicopter pilot instead (more needed at the time I was there} but still have a working knowledge of the lessons taught in engineering principals. My wife and I have owned our own corporation for 31 years and during this time I have either chaired or sat on many local, state and national boards. I am a Past President of Bay City Rotary where I was chosen Outstanding District President, board member of Lions Club of Bay City, Vice President of Rice Festival Committee, President of The Texas Jewelers Association, board member of Jewelers of America, Chairman of the Retail Trade Committee Chamber of Commerce for several years, and board member of The First United Methodist Church in Bay City to name a few. I believe if you partake from something, you should be willing to do all in your power to give back. Vicki and I have three sons (one is half owner on the river with us), two grandsons, one new granddaughter, and another one or the other (as yet undetermined) on the way. So we plan on being a part of the San Bernard and F.O.R. Community for a long time and being a part of where ever we live or play- just is what we want to do.
 

One of F.O.R.'s primary functions is to educate the public regarding the issues concerning the San Bernard River and it's Communities. 
Contact Pat Webb pat@sanbernardriver.com to schedule a guest speaker for your group or special event.

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