our biz: PROFESSIONAL WISDOM
Talk
with the
Business Titans
MARK RILEY
Parker County Judge
APRIL 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
PCT: How did you get into this
field?
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MR: My interest in politics started
in 8th grade with my American
History teacher, Mrs. Satterwhite,
who was married to State Representative Bill Satterwhite. Due
to her family’s involvement in
politics, she wanted her students to
learn the process. This was during
the Johnson/Goldwater presidential
election and she taught us how
we pick our president. She split
the class in half, with one side
supporting Johnson and the other
Goldwater. We gave speeches and
that piqued my interest in politics.
Fast forward over the years through
high school and while attending
Tyler Junior College I worked in
news at a local radio station. Our
news director at the time left and
though young I was named as the
station’s news director. In Texas
politics it was the era of Dolph
Briscoe, Ben Barnes, Lloyd Bentsen
and others, including Nixon who
came to town for a rally. It gave
me the opportunity to interview
politicians that somebody my
age would not normally have the
BY KATIE RODGERS