BACKGROUND
I am a true blue Texan from Denison, Texas. I am a graduate of Baylor University, and owner of Graham International, a franchised International Truck and Engine dealership in Sherman and Paris, Texas. I also own and operate Graham Truck Tire Center, a Bridgestone/Firestone/Yokohama/Bandag truck tire dealership in Sherman, as well as Graham Truck Service Centers in Anna and Gainesville, Texas.

FISHING CAREER
If it involves a rod and a reel, count me in. All my life I have been obsessed with fishing. Bass fishing, offshore fishing, near-shore fishing, fishing for a rubber boot, I don't care. As far as bass fishing goes, I was a recreational fisherman until I joined the Texoma Bass Club in 1994. After two years of club tournaments, I began fishing more seriously starting in 1996. Since that time, I have fished Honey Hole, Anglers Choice Team and Pro-Ams, Media, Texas Top 100, Texas Tournament Trail, BassChamps, Jimmy Houston Tournament Trail and various other local tournaments. I have recorded wins with Anglers Choice, Media, and Jimmy Houston Tournament Trail, along with other local and regional tournaments. My weight of 22+ pounds in a Lake Texoma Media tournament remains the largest stringer ever weighed in a Media tournament on Texoma. I am a prostaff member for Skeeter and Yamaha. I have developed a real passion of late for offshore fishing as well. I have enjoyed fishing from Florida to Texas and down both coasts of Mexico, and have recently been enjoying the awesome fishing of Venice, LA of late. Venice offers a spectacular fishery, both inshore and offshore.

CIVIC RESPONSABILITY
Civic responsibility is something I feel very strongly about. As members of society, it is each person's responsibility to return more to our community than we take. Over the last ten years, I have been involved in many organizations, some listed below.

Sherman Salvation Army, Board of Directors, 1997-2003
Grayson County United Way Board Of Directors, 1997-2004
Grayson County United Way, Business Division Chair 1997-1999
Grayson County United Way, President, 2002
Grayson County United Way, Campaign Chair, 2001, 2003
Texas Association of Business, State Board of Directors, 1998-present
Texas Association of Business, State Tax Committee Chair, 2003-present
Texas Association of Business, Chapter Chair, North Texas Region, 1998, 2001
First United Methodist Church, Administrative Board, 1996-2000
Sherman Chamber of Commerce, Board Of Directors, 1996-1999
Sherman Chamber of Commerce, Business Activities Chair, 1999
Boy Scouts Regional Advisory Board, Board Member, 1996-1997
Member, Committee to Research 4A & 4B Sales Tax for Economic Development, 1996
Member, Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Baylor University, 1989-1991
Over the last several years, I have worked to put together a fall tournament benefiting the United Way of Grayson County. In 2004, I saw a great opportunity to bring the United Way and the Texoma Bass Club together. 2004 was the 38th annual Texoma Bass Club Two State Open, which has been the third week of September each year. Timing was perfect, as the kickoff for the United Way campaign is the first week of September. Therefore, this collaboration fit perfectly. Our first year proved to be a tremendous success, as we increased fisherman participation 26%, paid back 100% cash to the fishermen, and raised over $7,000 in sponsorships. I am excited about the prospects for this year's tournament, and expect an even larger increase in participation.

FAMILY
It you have ever heard the phrase "she is his better half” that would undoubtedly apply to me. The Lord smiled upon my life the day he introduced me to my wife, and ever since she has been the foundation of everything I have accomplished. I am the proud father of three wonderful children, Luke, Kristen and Dan. Without their support, I would not be involved in this great endeavor. Together, we are committed to making Trophy Bass Lodge the greatest bass fishing destination in the world.

POLITICS
Over the last ten years, I have come to realize that while Texas is a great place to do business, there are many things we can do to make it the best place to do business. This has led me into an affair with Texas Politics. The roots for this passion, so to speak, are self-serving. I became involved in politics and legislation because, as a franchised dealer, there have been so many areas of concern and needed improvement within our business climate. While workers compensation and the Texas Workers Comp Commission have been my focus, I have been deeply involved in other issues as well, including Health Insurance and Taxes. I have served on the state board of directors for the Texas Association of Business (www.txbiz.org), which represents companies from the largest multinational corporations to small businesses in nearly every community of our state. TAB is focused on improving the Texas business climate to help make our state's economy the strongest in the world. For the last 18 months, I have served TAB as Tax Committee Chair. Our focus has obviously been the need to overhaul our school finance system. My college companion and good friend from Sherman, Larry Phillips, is our state representative. I work with Larry on many of these issues, as well as issues involving hunting and fishing, as Larry is a member of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Board. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with politics and TAB, bringing the small business, franchised dealer, and sportsman perspectives to Austin.