Glenn brings over 25 years of senior-level management to the position of EDC Director. In the 1980's he served in leadership positions with the Bonanza Steak House chain as Director of Field Operations and Vice President of Franchise Services. In the 90's and until 2005 he worked with Country Meadows Retirement Communities, the largest privately-held assisted living company in Pennsylvania, as Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer and Sr. Vice President.
He is certified in the National Restaurant Association as a Foodservice Management Professional (FMP). This credential distinguishes restaurant and foodservice managers who have achieved a high level of knowledge, experience, leadership and professionalism within the industry. This award follows successfully meeting the program's challenging experience and educational requirement and passing a comprehensive exam. Glenn is also licensed to teach the NRA's Food Sanitation Certification program.
Following graduation and ordination Glenn has served as a minister in the Baptist Church in Michigan, Iowa and Missouri.
Following a year of service as an Americorp VISTA he was appointed to serve as Director of the Van. TX Economic Development Corp. in February of 2007.
Molly Russell
Molly has served on the Van EDC since 2003 and served as its president in 2005-2006.
Born in Tyler, TX Molly moved to Van in 1970 where she attended and graduated from Van High School and has been a resident of Van since that time.
She has been employed by First Baptist Church of Van since 1976 as Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper.
Married to Rick Russell, a life-long resident of Van.
Their three children went through the VISD school system then on to nearby Tyler Junior College, the University of Texas at Tyler and one to the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.
Mary Ann Peden - Vice President
Mary Ann has been married to John A. Peden for 51 years and together have raised five children.
Mary states “I have been blessed to have a career as a wife and mother.”
She further states “I love doing volunteer work for my city.
Mary serves on the following boards: The Education Foundation, Kiwanis, and Child Protective Services.
Pat Percifield
Pat is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a BS in Kinestheology and English and has taken several graduate courses at UT Tyler.
After teaching in Cleburne and Joshua, TX she moved to Van in 1967 where she retired from Van ISD after teaching here for 30 years.
Pat is a member of the Van United Methodist Church where she currently serves on its Board of Trustees and the missions Chairperson.
Among her many volunteer services she has served on the Van Educational Foundation Board, the regional board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Van Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army Angel Tree and Mercy Ships.
Pat currently serves on the Van City Council (2 terms). She has been instrumental in the establishment of the Van Community Library and Youth and Sports Association.
Pat and her late husband Jerry (a life-long resident of Van) raised two children, both successful products of the Van ISD.
Billy Smith– President •Retired from Lone Star Gas Company, as Division Director, with 38 years of service. • President of Georgetown, TX Rotary Club. Honored as Rotary Fellow. • Past president Mart and Georgetown Chambers of Commerce. • Past board member Georgetown Area Industrial Foundation. • Serves as usher, greeter and AWANA leader at Pruitt Baptist Church. • Proudly served in U.S. Army from 1954-1957. • Married to Trella Smith for 47 years, has three children and three grandchildren.
Harold "Looter" Wright • Retired from Hunt Oil Company as aVice President of subsidiaries services. • Served as President of the Van Planning and Zoning Board. • A life-long resident of Van.
Derek Hansel • Native-born, life long Texan • '94 gradiate of Frisco High School. • '99 Graduate of Texas A & M with degree in Architecture. • Founded and currently manages Hansel Custom Homes, a design/build home building practice specializing in speculative home construction and sales. • Mr. & Mrs. Hansel, along with their two daughters, moved to Van in 2005.
Brian McFarlin • Life-long Texan, Graduated Van High School & Texas A & M University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. • Sr. Manager with Oncor Electric Delivery. • He and his family moved back to Van in 1998.
Gary McDaniel – Van City Administrator
Gary currently serves as City Administrator for Van.
Gary has been a resident of Van for 26 years.
He graduated from DeSoto, TX high school and attended University of Texas at Arlington; Texas A&M University and Mountain View College.
For 36 years Gary has held several positions including 15 years as City Administrator, 16 years in law enforcement and several years as Director of Public Works.
Gary and his wife have been married for over 20 years and have one son.
Yvonne McCauley – City Secretary
Yvonne has lived in Ben Wheeler (Van Zandt County) for 23 years.
Raised in New Caney, TX, she attended the University of Houston and Tyler Jr. College.
She served in the U.S. Army Military Police for 6 years.
For 17 years she worked for the Baptist General Convention as Supervisor of mail distribution.
Yvonne has worked for the
City of Van for 3 years and is the current City Secretary and Court Clerk.
She has been married for 23 years and has two children and one grandson.
Van Economic Development Committee members serve two year terms and are eligible for reappointment. EDC members are appointed by the Van City Council.
New Business
The Van Economic Development Corp. is currently in meetings with the Van City Council to review and determine specific business incentives that will be made available to business looking to locate in Van or to expand an already existing business. Under discussion are such items involving tax abatements, discounted properties and Texas Enterprise Fund.
As these items become available they will be included in this web site. Meanwhile our Director Glenn Williams would welcome your emails and phone calls to discuss any questions that you might have. He can be reached at gwilliams@vanedc.org or by phone 903-830-0542. You may also mail your questions and other inquiries to: Glenn Williams, Van EDC, P.O. Box 1046, Van, TX 75790.
Existing Business
The Van Economic Development Corp. is currently in meetings with the an City Council to review and determine specific business incentives that will be made available to business looking to locate in Van or to expand an already existing business. Under discussion are such items involving tax abatements, discounted properties and Texas Enterprise Fund.
As these items become available they will be included in this web site. Meanwhile our Administrator Glenn Williams would welcome you emails and phone calls to discuss any questions that you might have. He can be reached at gwilliams@vanedc.org or by phone 903-830-0542. You may also mail your questions and other inquiries to: Glenn Williams, Van EDC, P.O. Box 1046, Van, TX 75790.
Education
Oil Festival
Major Events / Festivals
Van Camber of Commerce
Van has an active Chamber of Commerce and has a listing of the various businesses and type of business. Please click on their website at www.vantexas.com and then proceed to Chamber Membership.
