Katy Chamber President, Ann Hodge Files for Republican Nomination for HD 132
Katy, TX (November 12, 2013) – Katy Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Ann Hodge filed her paperwork for the Republican nomination in Texas House District 132.
“I seek this office after an outpouring of support from area residents for a candidate who will bring people together and campaign on an optimistic, conservative vision for the future,” said Hodge. “I have spent my entire life in the private sector, and the last 30 years bringing jobs and strategic growth to our region.”
“I will be a constructive, conservative candidate, and I will go to Austin to create greater opportunity for all of our families and the next generations of Texans,” said Hodge.
Hodge has been the President and CEO of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce since 1999. Prior to that, she served as Divisional Vice President of External Affairs for Browning Ferris Industries (BFI), the world’s second largest solid waste disposal firm.
“Ann brings a vision and consistency that has elevated the Katy Area Chamber to one of the most respected Chambers in Texas,” said Stan Stanley, President of Stanley Signature Designs, and the Council Commissioner for the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. “Ann’s ability to quietly work behind the scenes and assist local businesses and community organizations to grow has been essential to insure the economic development and quality of life for our community. This is one of Ann’s most valuable assets and one of her greatest strengths. Our community is a better place thanks to Ann’s vision, service and leadership.”
An appointee of three Republican governors – Bill Clements, George W. Bush and Rick Perry – Hodge is a 1988 graduate of Leadership Texas, and a 1990 graduate of Leadership America. Hodge has served as Chair of the Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC) for eight years. She has more than 20 years of combined service on TWIC, the Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness and the Texas Council on Vocational Education. During her service on behalf of the State of Texas, she worked closely with the senior leaders of the Texas agencies responsible for economic development and education.
“People have great mistrust of government,” said Hodge. “I will work to restore faith in our institutions of government, putting the public first in public service.”
Deeply rooted in the Katy area, having lived there for more than 30 years, Hodge has been recognized for her leadership and service in the community. She was named “Best Business Woman” in 2007 by the Katy Sun readers Poll. She has also been recognized as one of “Katy’s Trailblazing Women” by Katy Magazine, and as one of “Katy’s Top Ten” in the Katy Sun. She also received statewide recognition as one of Ten Texas Women on the Move by the Texas Executive Women. She was awarded the “Heroes, Legends, and Leaders” Award in 2010 by the Gary Tilton Firefighter Training Fund. She was also honored to be named the Citizen of the Year by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.
Hodge serves on the Texas Children’s Hospital (West Campus) Advisory Council and the ARC of Katy. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the CHRISTUS Health Gulf Coast Board of Directors. She also serves on the Katy ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors as well as the Board of Regents for Pope John XXIII High School. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Governors of the Katy Area Economic Development Council and was recently named to the Board of Directors of the new Katy Contemporary Arts Museum. Ann also serves on the Houston Community College Katy Business Steering Committee.
“I will vote to control taxes and spending, support economic development through investments in infrastructure, and work every day to improve our public schools. I understand the needs of our Cy-Fair and Katy communities and I am committed to serving all of the residents in our communities in Austin.”
“We have enough show horses in politics today. I will be a workhorse,” said Hodge. “Some people run for office to be someone, I am running to do something: work hard to create opportunity for all of our communities.”
Hodge is seeking the seat currently held by State Rep. Bill Callegari, who recently announced he would not run for re-election. District 132 is bordered by Highway 290 to the north, Barker Cypress and Fry Road to the East, and the Harris County line to the West and South. It includes portions of Cypress and Katy.
Hodge has been married to Robert D. Hodge for over 31 years. Bob and Ann are members of the Creekside Community Church in Katy. They have one son, Richard, and five grandchildren – Kelsey, Olivia, Michael, Kasey and Christian.
