The future of Texas Democrats
By Bruce Rossley

Democrats Abroad Speakers Bureau
Bob Melton
Democrats in Texas—Then, Now and Future
Tue, Aug 25, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
Donation 60 pesos

San Miguel Democrats Abroad will sponsor a presentation by former Texas State Representative Bob Melton. The presentation is part of Democrats Abroad Speakers Bureau and is entitled “Democrats in Texas—Then, Now and Future.” Melton also answers questions on other current political topics, including what is happening in the politicization of town hall meetings on healthcare.

In the mid-eighties, Melton sold his business and devoted himself full-time to public service, going back to school and earning a Master of Business Administration and graduate degree in economic development. His community involvement led to running for public office (school board). He would later successfully run for the legislature. During his three terms in the Texas Legislature, he concentrated on economic development, children and criminal justice issues, passing 30 pieces of legislation that had a positive effect on the lives of Texans.

After leaving the legislature, he was asked by then-Governor Ann Richards to take a position as Assistant Director of Marketing for the Texas Department of Commerce. His duties included working with Private Industry Councils (PICs), workforce development, marketing Texas to out-of-state and foreign entities, developing regional economic development plans for the Governor’s Office and consulting with communities across the state on developing their economies.

A published author, he has written numerous articles on public policy. His treatise “Regional Marketing Strategies for Success” outlines how to develop the economies of Texas communities and serves as a guide for economic development for small- and medium-sized Texas cities.

Bob Melton retired to San Miguel in January 2008. He is an author, politician, songwriter and poet. His multifaceted career encompasses being a state legislator, writing a public affairs column for 13 newspapers (“Capitol Comments”), and serving as a chairman of the United States Olympic Committee (1996 Games), as an assistant director at the Texas Department of Commerce, as a nonprofit executive director and as director of the Austin Songwriters Group.

Always a believer in public service, in 2007 he retired as the Executive Director of the Dallas All Sports Association (DASA), a 44-year-old nonprofit which provides scholarships and funding for Dallas area youth. He was responsible for DASA public relations, corporate recruitment, raising funds for DASA charities and providing college scholarships for underprivileged youth.

Serving on the board of directors of the Austin Songwriters Group for several years, he was involved in producing pitch sessions for music industry executives. He has written 250 poems and songs, has appeared in three movies and interacted with notables from sports, entertainment and politics.

In addition to his own campaigns for public office, he has worked on campaigns for state, local and federal office. He started out volunteering, stuffing envelopes, putting up signs or working as precinct captain doing door-to-door canvassing. In later years he did consulting with Democrats on developing political strategies. He also spent a year lobbying.

Melton has performed graduate studies at University of Texas/LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LaSalle University and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Bruce Rossley is chairperson of San Miguel Democrats Abroad.