Councilman Ken Mathew Becomes Mayor Pro Tem
By Dinesh Shah
Last updated: June 22, 2009

Councilman Ken Mathew swearing in oath as the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Stafford

STAFFORD : Recently, the City Council unanimously appointed Ken Mathew as the Mayor Pro Tem (Deputy Mayor) of the City of Stafford, Texas. The Mayor Pro Tem performs the Mayor’s duties during the Mayor’s incapacity or absence. The Mayor Pro Tem retains the right to vote on all matters before Council while performing the duties of the Mayor.

Ken entered the political arena at the very young age of 20 while he was in India. Currently, he is serving his second term on City Council for the City of Stafford. He is the first Indo-American ever to become a Mayor Pro Tem in the State of Texas. Mathew said he was humbled and honored to serve the residents of Stafford in his new role as Mayor Pro Tem.

Stafford, a city of approximately 20,000 people is located in Fort Bend County. Its population is 49% Caucasian, 19% African American, 23% Hispanic, and 20% Asian includes 8% Asian Indians. Mathew is committed to helping the entire community. His appointment is well appreciated by the people of Stafford. This is a testament to his leadership qualities. A recent article in Indo American News (Issue: June 19) calls him “People’s Voice”. It goes on to say that he is soft spoken and dynamic with the mood of optimism and self confidence.

Currently he is also a Treasurer of Stafford Economic Development Council, known as SEDC. Through the arm of SEDC the City attracts businesses and promotes economic development.

Under its watch hundreds of millions of dollars have already been spent on the infrastructure, which includes over $ 100 MM expansion of Hwy 90, railroad expansion, underpass at Murphy and Staffordshire at Hwy 90.

He is involved with over $ 30 MM of the expansion of Brand Lane, Dulles Avenue, Kirkwood, Staffordshire, and Stafford and Beautification project of the city at Hwy 59 and 90 and also along Hwy 90 corridor of the city.

As a Councilman he serves on the committees of auditing, Salary and Wages, and legislative committee dealing with the State of Texas. Prior to becoming a Councilman, Mathew served as a Director of SEDC, and also as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner.

He works closely with Houston Community College in Fort Bend County as an Advisory Board member.

He is a member and a Sunday school teacher of the St. Thomas Orthodox Church. He is the past Chief Editor of the news magazine of MAGH. Mathew adds to his credentials an MBA degree from the University of Detroit and B.Com from University of Bombay.

He is married and has two daughters. When he was asked about his philosophical and political views, Pro Tem Mayor Ken Mathew replied, “I want to see a clean and efficient government at all levels. I see before me Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa as my idols. I also see a rare politician, like A. K. Antony, the current Defense Minister of India, as a living example of what a public servant ought to be.”