Kendall County Judge Candidate Ricky Gleason Discusses Collaborative Leadership and Strategic Growth in Texas Hill Country

The Vote Like A Texan civic interview series has released a new long-form episode featuring Ricky Gleason, a candidate for Kendall County Judge, exploring the responsibilities of county leadership and the challenges facing one of the fastest-growing regions in the Texas Hill Country. Hosted by Justin McKenzie, the episode examines how Gleason's professional background in financial planning and business consulting informs his approach to county governance, where the County Judge serves as the chief executive officer overseeing budget priorities, emergency management, intergovernmental coordination, and the Commissioners Court.

Gleason describes his decision to run as a deeply personal and family-centered commitment, rooted in a long-standing desire to give back to the community that raised him. After years of consideration and prayer, he says the timing felt right to step forward and serve Kendall County during a period of rapid growth and increasing complexity. A central theme of the episode is the need for collaborative leadership at the county level, with Gleason emphasizing that counties must work in partnership with cities, school districts, nonprofit organizations, first responders, and neighboring counties to effectively address shared challenges.

He points to emergency management, wildfire preparedness, flooding, and volunteer fire departments as areas where coordination and long-term planning are essential. The conversation also addresses growth along the Interstate 10 corridor and throughout the Texas Triangle, with Gleason rejecting simplistic pro-growth versus anti-growth narratives. Instead, he advocates for realistic, values-driven planning that respects private property rights while preserving the Hill Country's heritage, water resources, and quality of life.

Water availability and regional infrastructure emerge as critical issues, with Gleason calling for proactive collaboration among Hill Country counties. He notes that water systems, flood risks, and transportation networks do not stop at county lines, making intergovernmental cooperation essential for sustainable solutions. McKenzie frames the discussion around the broader civic importance of county government, highlighting how decisions made at the local level directly affect families, businesses, and future generations.

Together, the two explore how a clear strategic vision can help Kendall County navigate growth while remaining a place where residents can build businesses, raise families, and preserve community character. As the episode concludes, Gleason underscores the importance of voter participation, particularly in primary elections, encouraging residents to engage early and make their voices heard. The full interview is available now as part of the Vote Like A Texan series, which works to make Texas candidates more discoverable and to empower voters with direct, substantive conversations about leadership and public service. Voters can learn more about Ricky Gleason's campaign and priorities by visiting his official website at https://www.rickygleason.com.