Meet the Mayors: Leaders Shaping the Future of Our Region

This month, BayTran is hosting a Mayoral Panel, where we will ask tough questions and gain insights from the mayors of the three largest cities in our region: Mayor John Whitmire of Houston, Mayor Thomas Schoenbein of Pasadena, and Mayor Quentin Wiltz of Pearland, moderated by former Mayor of Pearland, Kevin Cole.

Mayor John Whitmire

Mayor John Whitmire was elected on December 9, 2023, and sworn into office on January 2, 2024, becoming the 63rd Mayor of Houston. From a young age, he immersed himself in community service and later experienced firsthand the value of community support when his family home was destroyed by fire while he was in the sixth grade.

As a teenager, Whitmire and his family moved from Hillsboro, Texas, to Houston, where he graduated from Waltrip High School. He continued his education at the University of Houston (Go Cougars!), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and later attended the University of Houston Bates College of Law.

Raised by a mother who was a nurse and a stepfather who was a social worker, Whitmire developed a strong commitment to serving others and improving his community. At age 22, he was encouraged by his college professor, Richard Murray, to run for a newly created Texas House district. He was elected at age 23 and served as a State Representative from January 1973 to January 1983, followed by service as a State Senator from January 1983 to December 2023. During his tenure, he earned the title of “Dean of the Senate” and accumulated 50 years of service in state government before becoming Mayor of Houston.

Throughout his life and career, Mayor Whitmire has faced numerous challenges and opportunities that have shaped his leadership style. We look forward to learning how those experiences influenced his path to public service and contributed to the success he enjoys today.

Mayor Thomas Schoenbein

Mayor Thomas Schoenbein was sworn in on July 1, 2025, becoming the 10th Mayor of Pasadena. After graduating from Pasadena High School in 1978, he attended San Jacinto Junior College from 1980 to 1982, where he completed his general studies.
Schoenbein spent 12 years working for Phillips Chemical Company and another 20 years with Academy Sports + Outdoors before retiring in 2018. Retirement did not last long, however, and he earned his real estate license in 2019.

A lifelong resident of Pasadena, Mayor Schoenbein remains deeply committed to his community. During his time in public service, he has championed growth and infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to volunteer fire stations, the construction of fire and police training facilities, and the development of a new municipal courthouse. He has also supported projects to improve streets, sidewalks, bike trails, and neighborhood lighting, while encouraging economic development and advancing critical flood mitigation initiatives.

Mayor Quentin Wiltz, MBA, PMP®, 6σBB

Mayor Quentin Wiltz of Pearland grew up in Louisiana, living in St. Martinville and later Baton Rouge before relocating to Old Town Pearland in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. He and his wife moved to Texas seeking new opportunities and to build a brighter future for their family.

Mayor Wiltz earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Southern University and A&M College (Go Jaguars!), an Executive MBA from the University of Houston (Go Cougars!), a Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from San Jacinto College.

Wiltz believes that true leadership is demonstrated through meaningful action, a philosophy reflected in his seven years of service on the Pearland Parks & Recreation and Beautification Board, including five years as chairman. During that time, he helped advance projects such as the Shadow Creek Ranch Sports Complex, the expansion of local trail systems, the development of the Recreation Center and Natatorium, and the creation of the Five-Year Parks Master Plan.

In addition to his work on the board, Wiltz served as Chairman of the Brazoria County Alliance for Children, advocating for child abuse prevention and helping initiate free medical clinics for uninsured families.

Beyond his civic involvement, Mayor Wiltz is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. Founded in 1906, the organization promotes leadership, service, scholarship, and the advancement of communities. His commitment to the fraternity reflects the values of service, resilience, and leadership that have guided his career and public service.

Join Us

The Mayoral Panel will be moderated by former Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole, a respected leader and beloved member of the community. We are excited to hear what has shaped these leaders, what drives their commitment to public service, and how they continue working to strengthen their communities and the overall health of our region.

We hope to see you there on August 18, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport, 9100 Gulf Freeway, Houston, Texas, 77017

Sources

City of Houston. Mayor John Whitmire Biography. https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/bio.html
John Whitmire for Houston. About John Whitmire. https://www.johnwhitmire.com/about
Ballotpedia. John Whitmire. https://ballotpedia.org/John_Whitmire
Rotary Club of Houston. Hon. John Whitmire, Texas Senator. https://rotaryhouston.org/stories/hon-john-whitmire-texas-senator

City of Pasadena, Texas. Mayor Thomas Schoenbein. https://www.pasadenatx.gov/578/Mayor-Thomas-Schoenbein
Thomas for Pasadena. About Me. https://thomas4pasadena.com/about-me
LinkedIn. Thomas Schoenbein. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-schoenbein-55952457/

City of Pearland. Quentin Wiltz, City Council. https://www.pearlandtx.gov/government/city-council/quentin-wiltz
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Partners. https://apa1906.net/partners/

By: Cheyenne Pesak, August 10, 2026