Join us each month as we learn more about our board, their motivations, and their dreams for the future of CCCA.
Carol Wheeler, Director at Large, Public Program Committee Chair
This month we spoke with Carol Wheeler, Director at Large and Public Program Committee Chair. Carol is a local business owner, keynote speaker, and leadership coach.
How long have you lived in Comal County and what brought you here?
I moved to Comal County in 2010 after getting married. We both worked in San Antonio but wanted to live a little further out. Slowly but surely New Braunfels and Comal County stole my heart, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
What do you love most about the Hill Country?
I grew up nearby in Kerrville, so the Hill Country is definitely in my blood. I grew up scrambling up hills, hunting, hiking, and swimming in the river. What I love most about the Hill Country is the wildness that’s somehow also accessible. You can find yourself in a peaceful, beautiful space pretty quickly around here, and when I need to get my head and heart clear I will always get myself to the river.
Why are you passionate about Comal Conservation?
I want my grandkids and their kids to get to experience this beautiful, rugged landscape and learn to love it the way I do. For that to happen we have to balance growth and conservation. We must find ways to preserve our rivers, our wild spaces, our trees, and our wildlife even as our population soars. This is not an easy task, but it can be done with careful planning and advocacy.
What are your hopes for the organization during your tenure?
Growth! I hope we can spread the message to more of our community about what we are about and get more involvement. I believe a large percentage of the folks in Comal County believe in conservation, so let’s make sure every one of them has an opportunity to get involved.
How long have you lived in Comal County and what brought you here?
I moved to Comal County in 2010 after getting married. We both worked in San Antonio but wanted to live a little further out. Slowly but surely New Braunfels and Comal County stole my heart, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else!
What do you love most about the Hill Country?
I grew up nearby in Kerrville, so the Hill Country is definitely in my blood. I grew up scrambling up hills, hunting, hiking, and swimming in the river. What I love most about the Hill Country is the wildness that’s somehow also accessible. You can find yourself in a peaceful, beautiful space pretty quickly around here, and when I need to get my head and heart clear I will always get myself to the river.
Why are you passionate about Comal Conservation?
I want my grandkids and their kids to get to experience this beautiful, rugged landscape and learn to love it the way I do. For that to happen we have to balance growth and conservation. We must find ways to preserve our rivers, our wild spaces, our trees, and our wildlife even as our population soars. This is not an easy task, but it can be done with careful planning and advocacy.
What are your hopes for the organization during your tenure?
Growth! I hope we can spread the message to more of our community about what we are about and get more involvement. I believe a large percentage of the folks in Comal County believe in conservation, so let’s make sure every one of them has an opportunity to get involved.
This month we spoke with Frank Dietz, Director at Large. Prior to bringing his board skills to CCCA, Frank served nearly a decade and half as Executive Director of an ecumenical statewide nonprofit that worked common religious issues, ten years as Chair of the Board at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, on national religious and service efforts, and worked with another global effort commission.
How long have you lived in Comal County and what brought you here?
We built our retirement "contemporary barn haus" on the upper back end of Twin Oaks Pantermuehl Ranch in 2004-5. Retirement began on Thanksgiving of 05. Our move-in was in Spring of 06 as construction and permit delays held us up modestly. Karen accessed her small piece of the TOPR legacy as we settled in with an initial agenda to establish a friendly haus environment to age in welcoming others and our "grands" while establishing a friendship with wildlife and pasture life surrounding us. The native flora and fauna have gifted and challenged us ever since.
What do you love most about the Hill Country?
The Texas Hill Country affords one of the jewels of Texas with the escarpment rise and vistas. Open space, fairly dark skies, and much to discover. If nourished and protected, we have wondrous waters, surface, and subsurface as well! Much outdoor recreation and exploration is readily accessible in short drives. At the same time, we have the convenience of nearby vibrant urban centers with San Antonio and Austin. We just hope NB/Comal won't be overtaken by either!
Why are you passionate about Comal Conservation?
We're passionate about the Texas Hill Country as something to cherish, protect, enhance, and share. Folks can't do that if suburbanized urban sprawl chops up all the open spaces!
What are your hopes for the organization during your tenure?
My hope is that Comal Conservation will strengthen, deepen, and grow with folks who share the passion. The demographics are moving modestly in a positive younger direction. I hope opportunities with the younger population and youth will become strengths going forward. Capacity and influence are growing positively as we network with others sharing like-minded efforts to keep the hills, rivers, and streams "wild" as well as available for folks.
How long have you lived in Comal County and what brought you here?
We built our retirement "contemporary barn haus" on the upper back end of Twin Oaks Pantermuehl Ranch in 2004-5. Retirement began on Thanksgiving of 05. Our move-in was in Spring of 06 as construction and permit delays held us up modestly. Karen accessed her small piece of the TOPR legacy as we settled in with an initial agenda to establish a friendly haus environment to age in welcoming others and our "grands" while establishing a friendship with wildlife and pasture life surrounding us. The native flora and fauna have gifted and challenged us ever since.
What do you love most about the Hill Country?
The Texas Hill Country affords one of the jewels of Texas with the escarpment rise and vistas. Open space, fairly dark skies, and much to discover. If nourished and protected, we have wondrous waters, surface, and subsurface as well! Much outdoor recreation and exploration is readily accessible in short drives. At the same time, we have the convenience of nearby vibrant urban centers with San Antonio and Austin. We just hope NB/Comal won't be overtaken by either!
Why are you passionate about Comal Conservation?
We're passionate about the Texas Hill Country as something to cherish, protect, enhance, and share. Folks can't do that if suburbanized urban sprawl chops up all the open spaces!
What are your hopes for the organization during your tenure?
My hope is that Comal Conservation will strengthen, deepen, and grow with folks who share the passion. The demographics are moving modestly in a positive younger direction. I hope opportunities with the younger population and youth will become strengths going forward. Capacity and influence are growing positively as we network with others sharing like-minded efforts to keep the hills, rivers, and streams "wild" as well as available for folks.