Mark Stelmas:  

I graduated from Hinsdale South in 1969 and in 1972 I married Connie Marsh. As she has stated so well, we were both young at the time, and sadly the marriage ended. After reading her story, I openly admit that I'm proud of what she has accomplished in her life. I did remarry in 1977 to Carol Kral and we lived in Evergreen Park. As for myself, being the 70's, it was a time that I sought employment in various opportunities that were related to the civil engineering field. However, as some of us remember all to well, the economy took a real down turn and many of us found ourselves unemployed. That being said, I found both myself and my Carol moving to Texas in 1981, and as former Governor Connelly said, "Texas was the only place where a man could get a second chance in life". The Texas Department of Transportation offered me a fine career that lasted 28 years and allowed me to experience some of lives greatest opportunities. Some of these included working with FEMA following Hurricane Alicia, designing the rehabilitation of Houston's Southwest Freeway and Houston's portion of IH-10, helping establish Texas Amber Alert Team, Archeological Assistant at the restoration of Freedman's Cemetery, assisting Katrina evacuees, representing TxDOT at the Texas State Fair and The Fort Worth Stock Show. Like Connie, I soon realized the value of having an education. So during my time at TxDOT, I attended Tarrant County Junior College and received an Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science. Following that I attended Texas Wesleyan University and received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with an emphasis on Law and Religion. I also became a member of Pi Gamma Mu, International Social Science Honor Society and made the Honors List in1997, 1998 and 1999. Following in my families footsteps, during my time at TxDOT and school, I became active in Texas politics. Having worked with the Libertarian and Republican Parties while in school, I finally found a home in the Texas Democratic Party on a Local, State, and Federal level. I have worked for various c...Expand for more