Featured Voice of the Texas GOP: Bill Callegari

Bill Callegari represents the 132nd House District of Texas.

Bill Callegari has resided in the Katy area and been a businessman in the Houston area for more than 30 years. A Licensed Professional Engineer for over four decades, he holds a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Louisiana State University and a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Houston. Bill and his wife, Ann, have been happily married for more than 50 years. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

In 1974 he founded Am-Tex Corporation, a firm that managed water utilities for municipal and commercial entities throughout Texas. In 20 years, Mr. Callegari grew the company from a family operation to a strong regional corporation employing hundreds throughout Southeast, Central, and North Texas. He served as AM-TEX's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive officer until selling the firm to the fourth largest utility in the world in 1993. He currently owns WC Engineers, Inc., which provides engineering consulting services for the water/wastewater and environmental industries.

In addition to his Professional Engineering credentials, Mr. Callegari holds Class A certifications in water and wastewater operations. He has participated on numerous professional organizations and committees relating to water, environmental and engineering issues. He was co-founder and former president of the Association of Water Board Directors, and served as the first chairman of the Texas Water Commission Wastewater Certification Advisory Committee.

Mr. Callegari was inducted into the "LSU College of Engineering Hall of Distinction" in 1997, and the "LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction" in 1999. His name was added to the LSU Alumni Center Wall of Honor in year 2000. In addition the William A. Callegari Environmental Center located at LSU was named in his honor. In 2006, he was named the Distinguished Engineer of the Year by the Texas Engineering Foundation. The following year, 2007, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Houston School of Engineering. Mr. Callegari is listed in the Who's Who in South and Southeast, Worldwide, and Environmental Registry.

Community involvement has been an important part of Bill Callegari's life and career. He is an active member of his church community and has served as a member of his church finance council for many years. Before his election to the Texas Legislature in 2000, he was involved in numerous activities in both the Katy and Houston areas, including local chambers of commerce and various professional and local organizations. Mr. Callegari served on the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees in the mid-eighties, and served as a Republican precinct chair for approximately 20 years.

Representative Callegari has represented the constituents and families of District 132 since his election in 2000. He serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform, and on the House Urban Affairs Committee. In prior sessions Representative Callegari was Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and served on the Transportation, Land and Resource Management, Cultural and Recreational Resources, Calendars, and the Local and Consent Calendars committees. He has also served on the Study Commission on Water for Environmental Flows. In addition, he currently serves as Chairman of the House Research Organization and as Chairman of the House Greater Houston Area Delegation.

Throughout his tenure in office, Representative Callegari has worked hard to pass legislation for the betterment of his constituents and the citizens of the State of Texas. In 2009, Representative Callegari authored measures to reform the business franchise tax, create the Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology, and implement disaster preparedness requirements for water utilities in hurricane affected areas. In 2007, he passed the groundbreaking Landowner's Bill of Rights Act, which informs landowners affected by a proposed condemnation of their available rights and options. He also passed legislation eliminating several obsolete state agencies. In earlier legislative sessions, Representative Callegari passed legislation reforming the community college district annexation process, Sunset legislation affecting the state's affordable housing program, and an amendment to the Texas Constitution allowing water districts to create parks and recreational facilities. As one of the House of Representatives' leading water experts he has authored and passed key pieces of legislation affecting water utilities, water districts, and groundwater management. As a fiscal conservative, Representative Callegari firmly supports lowered appraisal caps, limits on state and local government spending, and the refunding of budget surpluses back to Texas taxpayers. In addition, he has worked to pass legislation promoting the right to life, and to curb the problem of drunk driving.

In his six terms in office, Bill has established himself as a no-nonsense, conservative leader. Representative Callegari has received numerous awards and recognition for his voting record from countless conservative organizations. As one of only two licensed engineers in the House of Representatives, he has brought unique professionalism and expertise to the Legislative process. Bill’s strong background as a business community leader, his high energy level, and his high ethical and moral standards has earned the respect of his fellow legislators. He takes this job very seriously, and considers it an honor and a privilege to serve his constituents in Texas House District 132.

Source: www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=132

Make sure to check out Rep. Bill Callegari's exclusive interview with TexasGOPVote.