Meet Our Candidate - PC Mathew

A Passionate Servant Leader

I had the privilege of serving with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Middle East Africa Project Office (MEAPO) contributing as a civilian expert to the construction of a military airbase for the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF). This project, which spanned approximately 3 years, was completed just before the Gulf War and later required repairs funded by multinational allies due to its extensive use in the war I continued another 2 more years at the Airbase. The interesting part is we were not allowed to leave the country until the war is over. We were provided with bigger masks to protect from Mustard as anticipated from Saddam Hussian’s Scud Missiles which was shot down at the sea by our Patriot Missiles. As a young man, though newly married I was courageous to serve the USACE and the soldiers who were in the base at the war times. Later, I continued my work with the Military Works Directorate, Construction Division of Bahrain Defense., assisting the Director of the Military Works Directorate in various departments, including Tendering & Planning and Maintenance. This included handling the correspondence with USACE and Bahrain Defense Force. The Contract was FIDIC between US Government and Bahrain Government.

Community & Leadership Roles in Brief:

  • 🗳 Former Run-Off Candidate for Garland District 3
  • 🏢 Small Business Owner & Realtor
  • ❤ Passionate Community Servant Leader
  • ⛪ Pastor’s Usher & Community Connector
  • 🏡 HOA President in Various Communities
  • 🌍 Former School Board Member (Middle East)
  • 🌱 Served on Garland Environmental Advisory Board & Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
  • 🎓 Graduate of Leadership Garland Class 41
  • 👮‍♂ Garland Citizen Police Academy (CPA) Class #61
  • 📚 Former Student Leader, University Union Councilor, MG University Senate Member

Let us Hear from PC Mathew:

Inspired by the USACE professionals I worked alongside; I was motivated to pursue the American dream. Along with my wife, Daisy, an RN, and our three children, we secured a green card and began a new chapter in the Garland, and Irving Cities in Dallas County, United States.

My journey of work life in the U.S. began at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, where I advanced to Chief Accountant for a Veteran Affairs IDIQ Contract under Dr. Hailey. The project was $75 Million research Study project about the Soldiers of Gulf War. It was a coincidence that I served in the Gulf War time in Bahrain and serving a great project for Veterans in US. Later, when the project dropped, I served the State of Texas as a Financial Examiner with the Texas Department of Insurance until 2017 which has given me wide experience in the Finance, Budgeting.

I have formed a family business of properties buing and selling, also renting beginning in Garland 2014. Now, as a small business owner, Realtor, and insurance agency founder, I have gained wast knowledge to serve the community. My family and I remain deeply committed to service, integrity, and community values. Blessed with two grandchildren, we are a hardworking, service-driven family dedicated to making a difference.

In Garland and in Dallas County, Texas:

We moved to Garland in 2005, had to initially renting in Irving before purchasing a home in Garland since my kids got admission in a charter school in Irving. Later, in 2014, we bought a home in District 4, which we still own it and we still rent it. Thanks to the flexibility of the GISD school system, our children could be admitted to a charter school in Las Colinas, Irving. During this time, I became actively involved in the HOA at Emerald Valley, serving two terms as President. Additionally, I joined the Kerala Association of Dallas (KAD), an organization for Keralites in the USA with 1,500 members, and became an active member of ICEC, its parent organization, contributing to the property at 3821 Broadway Blvd, Garland.

I also had the privilege of serving in the World Malayalee Council (WMC), a global network for Keralites, where I began as Province Secretary, later served as President of the Province, Vice President of the America Region, and eventually Global Vice President. Through WMC, I organized blood donation drives, free medical camps, and cultural events such as Onam, Christmas, and New Year celebrations. We also hosted awareness seminars and provided free meals to those in need. Furthermore, I produced short films on environmental protection and drug addiction awareness, demonstrating my commitment to community service and social responsibility.

In 2020, we moved to Garland permanently and made our home at Shores of Wellington, a warm and welcoming community near Lake Hubbard. I have served as HOA Treasurer and President at Shores of Wellington, (just behind Couch Elementary) and I currently serve as the Vice President of the HOA at Rustic Oaks Community at Guthri Road, Garland.

Driven by my lifelong passion to serve the community, which has been supported by my family and friends, I ran for the 2021 Garland District 3 election and advanced to the runoff. In 2023, I ran again against the incumbent, earning even more support. I am now in close coordination with the current councilman, who shares my passion for service. He expressed no objection to my decision to run for Mayor, even when I encouraged him to do so. His positive attitude further reinforced my belief that I am ready to take on the role of Garland's Mayor, where I can lead and serve the diverse and multicultural community. As a leader committed to unity in diversity, I am excited to bring people together and help Garland continue to thrive.

Brief History of Volunteering Service Until Migration to USA:

My passion for serving the community began during my high school and college years. I served as the High School Secretary/ Head for Students, and while in college, I was elected three (3) times as a University Union Councilor. Later, I was honored to be elected by my fellow councilors as an Executive Board Member of the University Union. Additionally, the Education Minister nominated me to serve as a Senate Member at Mahatma Gandhi University, further deepening my commitment to leadership and service.

In Bahrain, I spent approximately 10 years focusing on my job to support my parents and siblings in India. After that, I began working with the multicultural community of parents at Indian School Bahrain. The Bahrain Minister of Education nominated me to serve as a Board Member of the school. The Board later appointed me as the Chairman of the Sports Subcommittee, providing me with valuable opportunities to engage in the school’s sports activities and participate in tournaments like Cricket, Soccer, Basketball, and Volleyball. Additionally, I founded the Charity and Assistance Association of Parents (CAAP), an organization that helped many parents in various ways. Through CAAP, I was able to provide free books and stationery for needy parents at the start of each school year, as well as conduct medical awareness seminars. These efforts were notably reported by the media, especially the Gulf Daily News.

FAMILY

My Family Background:

I am blessed with a wonderful family. My wife, Daisy, and I have been happily married since 1988 and live in Garland. She is a NICU nurse at Presby. We have three grown children and two grandchildren who live nearby in Sunnyvale. Our eldest daughter is a Nurse Practitioner, our son is graduating as a Dentist from Tufts Dental School of Medicine, and our youngest son recently started his career in finance. All of them graduated from UT Arlington.

Born as the fourth child of my parents who are now with the Lord, I was deeply inspired by my mother, whose strength and love shaped my leadership journey. My eldest sister, Mary, and her husband, Thomas, live nearby in Mesquite, while my other siblings have settled in Kerala, India, and Canada.