Gary Gillen, principal of Gillen Political Strategies, is the only political consultant in Fort Bend County who has run his own successful citywide, precinct-wide and county-wide campaigns. Gary’s leadership and campaign experience began at Lamar Consolidated High School where he was elected student body vice-president. At 24 Gary was elected to the Rosenberg City Council where he served two terms. He was the youngest person to ever hold that office.
Through that experience he found his passion for campaigns. He has been involved in campaigns from City Council to President of the United States.
Gary has been involved in winning campaigns as diverse as:
In government Gillen served as vice-chair of a licensing and regulatory agency for the-Governor George W. Bush and as a member of the Good Neighbor Advisory Board – and independent Federal Presidential Advisory board – during President George W. Bush’s terms. Gillen was recently appointed to a third term on the Board for the Current Administration.
Locally Gary serves as the Chairman of the Richmond Historic District Commission, Member of the City of Richmond Economic Development Corporation and President-Elect of Richmond Rotary.
He attended both Texas A&M University and Wharton County Junior College. He is married to Janice Drabek Gillen. They have 2 daughters, Nichole, who graduated from Texas A&M last December and Jennifer, a sophomore at Texas A&M and Blinn Junior College. They attend Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond.
Graduate of Lamar Consolidated High School
Attended Texas A & M University and Wharton County Junior College
Resident of Fort Bend County for over 40 years
Married to Janice Drabek Gillen since 1985
Two daughters:
Nichole – Lamar Consolidated High School Graduate 2005; BA from Texas A & M University 2008
Jennifer – Lamar Consolidated High School Graduate 2008; Sophomore at Texas A & M University
CEO, Gillen Pest Control, Inc. 1981 to present
Principal, Gillen Political Strategies
City Councilman, City of Rosenberg two terms 1982-1986
Republican Precinct Chair 1990-2005
Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman 2006-2007
Member of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, which is a Presidential advisory board that studies issues of environmental importance along US/Mexico border and reports to the President and Congress. Appointed by EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt 2004.
Vice-Chair, Texas Structural Pest Control Board. Licensing and Regulatory Agency for Pest Control Operators in Texas. Liaison with State Legislature often testifying on issues of regulation and budget. Appointed by (then) Governor George W. Bush 1996. Term ended 2001.
Chair, Richmond, Texas Historic District Commission. Regulate construction and remodeling of structures in the Historic District of the City. Appointed by City Commission 2002.
Member, Fort Bend County, Texas Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Task Force. Produce operational guidelines and plans for prevention of and action after event. Also served as Co-Chair of Field Hospital Committee and as Chair of Volunteer Development Committee. Appointed by Director of Fort Bend County Texas Health and Human Services. 2002 to 2005
Member, Richmond, Texas Economic Development Corporation. Appointed by City Commission 2005.
President, Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Advisory Council. Advise Juvenile Probation Department and Judges of issues involving incarceration and probation of juvenile offenders. 1995-1997.
Member, Fort Bend County, Texas Grand Jury. Review Felony cases for indictment. 1992,2001.
Member, Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council Legislative Review Committee. 1989.
Member, City of Rosenberg, Texas Charter Review Committee.1990
Member, Lamar Consolidated School District Bond Issue Steering Committee.2003.
Member, Lamar High School Design Committee. 2004-2005.
Member, Texas Structural Pest Control Board-Strategic Planning Committee. 1996.
Others available upon request.
Professional:
Secretary – Richmond Rotary 2008-2009
President-elect – Richmond Rotary 2009-2010
National Pest Management Association. 1996 to 2007.
Leadership Development Group of the National Pest Management Association -2003 to present.
Texas Pest Control Association. 1982 to 2007.
Serving on the Board of Directors of the Texas Pest Control Association 2002 to present
Texas Pest Control Association Legislative Committee 2002 to present.
Chair of the Texas Pest Control Association Legislative Committee 2004 to present.
Texas Mosquito Control Association. 2002 to 2004.
National Mosquito Control Association. 2002 to 2004.
Others available upon request.
Richmond Rotary. 2001 to present
President-Elect Richmond Rotary
Secretary of the Richmond Rotary 2004-2006, 2008-2009
Fort Bend County Fair Association. Life Member, Committee Member, Sponsor.
Texas State Rifle Association. Endowment Member.
Rosenberg Railroad Museum Association.
Charter Member
Chairman of the Board 1998-2000.
National Rifle Association. Life Member.
Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers.
Charter Member and Chairman of the Board. 1983-84, 1986-89.
Leadership Lamar. Founder and Chair. 1990.
Rosenberg Postal Advisory Council.
Chair 1994-96
Rosenberg/Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce.1990-2001
Vice-Chair 2000-2001
Rosenberg Revitalization Association 1995-2000
Chair 1996-97
C.L.E.F.s. Lamar High School Choral Department Booster Club. 2002 to present.
Treasurer 2002 to 2005.
Historic Richmond Business Association. 1999 to present.
Miracle on Morton Street Chair 2003.
Fort Bend County Museum Association. 1990 to present.
Fort Bend County A & M Club. 1990 to present.
Texas A & M University Former Students Association. 1976 to present.
Muster Committee (Fort Bend) 2004, 2005.
Class of 1980 Fundraising Chair 2003 to 2005.
Rosenberg Volunteer Fire Department. 1974-77.
Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Member 2005 to present.
Wharton Chamber of Commerce
Needville Chamber of Commerce
Others available upon request.
Mighty Texas Strike Force (Republican National Committee)2000, 2004
George W. Bush for President, 1999-2000
Co-Chair, George W. Bush Presidential Exploratory Committee.1999.
Chairman, Fort Bend County, George W. Bush for Governor of Texas. 1994-2000.
Member, Senate District 22 Military Service Academy Review Board. 1995-present.
Chairman, Fort Bend County , Cornyn for Supreme Court Committee. 1995.
Chairman, Fort Bend County, Priscilla Owen for Supreme Court Committee. 1994.
Member, Kay Bailey-Hutchison Senate Statewide Steering Committee.
Delegate, State Republican Convention. 1992,1996,2000,2002.
Greg Abbott for Attorney General Campaign Co-Chair 2002, 2006
Greg Abbott for Attorney General Finance Co-Chair 2002
Re-elect Greg Abbott Campaign Co-Chair 2005
Re-elect Greg Abbott Finance Co-Chair 2005
Chair, Fort Bend Republican Men’s Club. 2000.
Chairman. Fort Bend County, Craig Enoch for Supreme Court. 1992.
Member-Milton Wright for Sheriff Committee
Member-John Healey for D.A. Committee
Others available upon request.
Member, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Richmond, Texas.
Member, Knights of Columbus.
Grand Knight 1991-92.
Honorary Life Member, Home Economics Cooperative Education/HERO, Lamar High School Chapter.
Richmond Rotarian of the Year. Richmond, Texas, 2003
Volunteer of the Month-Rosenberg Revitalization. 1993 (May)
Business of the Month-Rosenberg/Richmond Chamber of Commerce. 1999.
Who’s Who in the South and Southwest
Men of Achievement
Personalities of the South
5,000 Personalities of the World
Community Leaders of America
Personalities of America
National Directory of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals
International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs
Others and dates available upon request. .
