businesses in Hudson Oaks is incredibly gratifying . Being creative and innovative in bringing new businesses to the city has made a huge impact . I take the job very seriously , and I thoroughly enjoy it . As an executive in the corporate world , identifying and solving problems to create win / win opportunities has been a great experience and has helped me with my service as mayor . Each situation is different , which is always challenging in finding solutions and the key drivers to being successful .
PCT : If you could have another career , what would it be and why ? PD : I would really enjoy being a fulltime public servant . The gratification of listening to and helping people — along with strategic planning and having a transparent and responsive government — is a very special feeling . To me , it ’ s more than a job ; it ’ s a calling that I have had for a long time .
PCT : What do you want to be remembered for ? PD : I would like to be remembered for being a good father , husband and friend . I want to be remembered for being a great provider for my family both materially and emotionally .
Rylie Johnson
Rylie is an artist , a skull carver ( mainly Longhorns ), and he ’ s also a warehouse manager / event coordinator .
PCT : How long have you been in Parker County ? RJ : I live in Fort Worth now , but I went to school at Trinity Christian in Willow Park and was raised in Parker County .
PCT : What ’ s the coolest thing that you have ever done in your life ? RJ : Probably , just here recently , I made a skull for Kay Granger and delivered it to Washington D . C . I was able to present it in person and hang it on her wall . She had an open house and I got to meet some other officials . That was probably one of the highlights .
PCT : What ’ s your secret talent ? RJ : That ’ s a good question . Well , I ’ m a really good cook . I don ’ t think a lot of people know that about me .
PCT : What is your definition of the best day ever ? RJ : It would probably be a day full of family and friends with no friction . Just being able to enjoy everybody ’ s company . Drama-free .
PCT : What piece of advice has defined your life up till now ? RJ : Pulling myself up by my own bootstraps . Nobody is going to fix it for you . You need to step up and make it happen for yourself .
PCT : If you could have another career , what would it be and why ? RJ : I always wanted to be a veterinarian , and I still would like to do that , though I ’ m not sure it ’ s in the cards now . I ’ ve always been a lover of animals .
Julie Jennings
Julie is a Spanish teacher at Weatherford Christian School .
PCT : How long have you been in Parker County ? JJ : My grandmother lived in Parker County , and my mother also grew up here , so I have been in and out my whole life .
PCT : What ’ s the coolest thing that you have ever done in your life ? JJ : Raising my son . He is such an interesting and wonderful man , and has been from childhood to adulthood , as a father and doctor .
PCT : What ’ s your secret talent ? JJ : Entertaining people . I ’ ve even directed a play .
PCT : What is your definition of the best day ever ? JJ : A day with my son and his family , my grandchildren .
PCT : What piece of advice has defined your life up till now ? JJ : “ Never stop learning .” Learning is what gives me the most joy in life , other than my family .
PCT : What is the best thing about your job ? JJ : Teaching young minds that are not yet clouded by life .
PCT : If you could have another career , what would it be and why ? JJ : If I could choose another career , I would choose to be a doctor to help people heal and feel better .
PCT : What do you want to be remembered for ? JJ : Influencing people ’ s minds and actions through teaching and personal relationships .
Watch for Part 3 of the 100 Most Interesting Parker County People next month .
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