Critical Experience

My Background

I'm a father first and foremost. My children are what I'm most proud of in the world. They have grown and are growing up to be wonderful human beings in the world and I attribute that all to their mother and God's Divine Grace.

As for me, I'm a military brat, the child of Hazel and Thomas Rockeymoore, born in Paducah, Texas in November of 1967. My father served 20 years until retirement in the Air Force, giving his children a worldly background of travel and wide human experience. My mother (RIP) was a school teacher and a military Education Counselor. My sisters, Maya Rockeymoore-Cummings and Meredith Rockeymoore-Brooks are accomplished in their fields, both doctors of Political Science and Pediatric Anesthesiology, respectively.

I've been a soldier, almost 5 years of active duty in the Army ending with Desert Storm in 1991. I exited the military with a service medal, some awards (AARCOM & 2 AAMs) and an honorable discharge before heading to Prairie View A&M University, where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Geography, I went on to complete the Master's degree in Environmental Geography at Indiana University-Bloomington and to attain ABD status while pursuing a PhD in Geography Education at Texas State University-San Marcos. I've served as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst, Manager and Consultant. I've driven Glass-bottom boats at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos, TX, as well as worked as a paraprofessional at San Marcos High School, before gaining my alternative certification to teach English Language and Reading Arts (ELAR) at Del Valle High School, outside of Austin, TX.

I have been serving my communities since I was a pre-teen. From my early years in the Cub Scouts through the Webelos, culminating in my election as Senior Patrol Leader for my Boy Scout Troop in Del City, Oklahoma at 14 years of age, I have been both humbled and blessed by my peers to be chosen to lead. This trend continued in the military, exemplified by my appointment as Assistant Platoon Guide by our Drill Sergeants in my Basic Training Unit.

As a PhD Candidate in the Department of Geography at Texas State here in San Marcos, I was appointed to the Graduate Student Council in its first semester of existence in 2005. In 2006 I was re-appointed to the GSC but chose instead to run for a seat in the Associated Student Government, which I won.

I was blessed to be elected to the San Marcos City Council in December of 2018 after a runoff where I carried the day with 64% of the total vote. I, we - as a Council, a city, a state, a nation and a world - have since been tested by an extraordinary series of events leading to a changed and continually changing world.

Holding office and engaging in the business of leadership during COVID-19 has been an exercise in love, patience and decision-making. We have had to be continually present to the needs of our population whilst simultaneously carrying on the business of the city in its day-to-day operations.

People are still afraid. The pandemic has been with us for over a year and a half, but it still occupies a primary place in our minds. We are concerned, for our lives, for our businesses, for our world. Honoring that fear while not becoming bogged down by it is the ordeal each of us has to contend with, on our own but also, together.

Having lost office last Fall, I have learned what all who seek to represent the people learn, if they are lucky. That how people feel, is important. When fear is in the air and people seek safety, what is familiar becomes paramount. As dark as it sometimes seemed last Fall, 8,000+ people chose to vote for me in a fraught election, although 10,000+ voted for the other candidate. These are some of the highest numbers ever in a City Council election, as was the case all across the country last Fall. I do not regret a thing, the will of the people will always be done and I served in a manner that I and those who love me are proud of.

I stand for the highest principles and will not be bought or influenced by anything other than the principles that I stand for. Since I have been called to stand Out Front again, I will again seek the people's favor in service to keeping San Marcos, Texas, one of the gems of Central Texas that it has been for over 13,000 years!

My Experience

What I have learned, primarily, is that it is most important to listen to the people.

People want to be listened to by the ones they elect to office.

At the level of local, city politics, there is no separation between the representative and the constituents, as there is at the state and national levels. The interaction and engagement is direct. We see each other in the grocery store and at Summer in the Park.

If elected, it is my job to listen whenever someone wants to speak to me and to take their considerations seriously no matter what side of the political aisle they sit on and even if they don't choose to participate at all!

All of these interactions help me to understand the population I will swear once more to represent and to make the decisions based upon their collective interests, but also in the best interest of the City of San Marcos (COSM).

I'm really excited to be able to put these lessons into action as I embark upon a new campaign to represent your interests! This time, with the benefit of experience, I seek to consolidate the gains that we accomplished between 2018 and 2020 and make certain that San Marcos is on a sustainable path toward a more equitable future!

What I Have Learned...

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