From the Inbox:
NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Valerie Bryan, Campaign Chairwoman
Bill for Fort Bend County GOP Chairman
503 FM 359 Suite 130 # 214, Richmond, TX 77406
valerie.bryan@sbcglobal.net 281-238-0051 or 713-724-7888
MICHIE FILES TO RUN FOR FORT BEND COUNTY GOP CHAIRMAN
William “Bill” Michie, 14-year resident of Fort Bend County, has announced his candidacy for Fort Bend County Republican Party County Chairman. As a Precinct Chair for more than three years, Michie has been in a position to observe the operations of the party through several campaign cycles.
“Many of the Precinct Chairs who make up the Executive Committee have become increasingly dissatisfied and disillusioned with the current party leadership,” Michie said. “It is no secret in political circles that our party is in crisis because of leadership failures — in the areas of financial accountability, resource management at all levels, especially the underutilization of volunteers, and refusal to follow all the by-laws and procedures of the party.”
Michie added that Fort Bend County political activists have been looking for a potential candidate for several months in the interest of replacing the current county chairman. Valerie Bryan, the campaign chairwoman who has served the party for many years as a volunteer in various roles, said, “Bill has a unique set of qualifications that many of us believe will fit the party’s needs at this particular time in history. First of all, he is not entrenched in the old ways of politics; he brings a fresh perspective, which voters seem to want. Second, he has a strong track record in business – he understands the value of teamwork, personal accountability, trust, and resource development. Third, he respects other people and the skills and abilities they bring to a major operation. All of these qualities, and more, are characteristics of leadership that many of us have been missing in recent years.”
Debra Ross, fellow precinct chair and former Fort Bend County Republican Party Secretary, added, “Bill has a quiet strength that comes from his commitment to Christian principles. I know him to be a leader who considers himself a servant, a quality that is missing from current Party leadership. You can always count on Bill to follow through on his promises.”
Former Republican Party Vice-Chairman Mickey Mixon said, “The current Chairman takes the position of ‘It’s my way or the highway.’ Mike refuses to follow the rules, and when questioned, rather than discussing an issue, he just threatens to remove you from the meeting. He lacks the management skills needed to lead the Fort Bend County Republican Party. The EC has tried to work with the current Chairman, but this has proved impossible throughout his term. The only solution most of us see is to replace the Chairman with one who has a better grasp of leadership.”
Michie has resided in Fort Bend County for 14 years with his wife, Cindy, and their two children. He is a lifetime Republican, having voted in virtually every election. He was a delegate to the 2014 Republican Party of Texas State Convention. He has also served as an election judge. He retired from Dow Chemical, where he led numerous multidisciplinary teams in research and development as well as commercialization of new products. Michie holds Bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees from Drexel University and an MBA from Rutgers University.
“As County Chairman of Fort Bend County Republican Party, I will lead the Executive Committee in following all the party’s organizational rules, provide full and transparent financial accounting at every EC meeting, and develop the party’s resources to help elect strong Conservative candidates to all offices,” Michie said. “Unfortunately, these processes have been neglected by the current chairman. As a result, many dedicated and passionate volunteers have virtually disappeared from the party’s activities. I am confident that I can bring them back where they are needed the most to make sure our Party wins in 2016. Moreover, party funds have dwindled to the point that the party is virtually broke. These are the major problems that point to the seriousness of the situation in the Fort Bend County GOP. In order to quickly correct problems and re-orient our Party, it is absolutely necessary to elect a new chairman who believes LEADERSHIP MATTERS.”