GLEN MAYO
K-9 Police Officer, Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. Police Department
What's the best advice you've ever received and who was it from? My father gave me the advice as a young man to treat everyone with respect.
What was your first professional job and how did that influence who you are today? After graduating high school I joined the Army and served from 1981-1988 as a paratrooper. It was there I decided to become a police officer. I worked for the Houston Police Department for 27 years and retired in May 2018. I had several great jobs with HPD including a canine officer during my last six years. I had an explosives detection dog, Drummel, who retired with me. We worked two Super Bowls and the 2017 World Series. After retiring from HPD, CFISD PD was looking for an experienced canine handler to assist with their program.
Personally, what would you like to see more of in the Cypress community? Community involvement such as National Night Out. If everyone would take the time to meet and get to know their neighbors, exchange phone numbers, and keep an eye out for each other it would help to keep crime at a minimum and make Cypress safe.
As a K9 officer, how does your work positively affect our community? My canine partner, Astra, and I make up a team. We conduct canine deployments in middle and high schools looking for narcotics and firearms. We act as a deterrent for the students not to bring narcotics into the schools. We also conduct elementary school demonstrations where we get to see smiles on the young students’ faces and know you are building great and long-lasting positive influences.
JR SMITH
H-Towne & Around Remodelers Inc, owner
Guns to Hammers Construction 501(C)(3), president
How does your military experience influence who you are today?
My military experience didn’t start in the Marines. It started as a military brat in 1970, so you could say, I’m literally a product of our military. My dad met my mother while stationed overseas. I learned in the military that what makes us so powerful is our commitment and loyalties to one another. No matter what, we need to have each other’s back and we never leave anyone behind.
How does Guns to Hammers serve the community?
Many veterans today are amputee victims of the infamous improvised explosive device. Most of them have been cut down in the prime of their lives. They’re suffering from post-traumatic stress with major physical disabilities. Our initiative is to go back for those vets left behind by our government and help them, through our remodeling services, get back on track to live more independent, manageable lives with dignity in their homes.
What part of Guns to Hammers makes you most proud?
The whole thing! The mission and the jobs we've been able to accomplish around our country. We’ve built relationships with local companies who donate to our foundation including Wicked Boxer Brewing, who brew a beer called Jack Hammer, named after our English Bulldog mascot, and Bearded Fox Brewing, who brew The Foxtrot. Both breweries donate $1 per pint, and it sure adds up!
MARK MCSHAFFERY
Restaurant Owner, Backyard Grill and Creekwood Grill
What was your first professional job and how did that influence who you are today?
My first professional job out of college was a manager for Houston’s Restaurant on Westheimer. When I started in 1992, Houston’s Restaurant training program for managers was 26 weeks. To get out of the training program, you had to spend two weeks at every position in the building and be proficient enough to teach others how to work that job. The standard for excellence and attention to detail with systems still drives me today.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The accomplishment I am most proud of was being the chairman for the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce in 2016. I was on the board for six years and chaired several committees during that time. The Backyard Grill has been a member of the chamber for 19 years. I can honestly say that many of the people I have met through the Chamber are now my best friends.
How do you choose to be a positive influence in the Cypress community?
I am currently a board member of Cy-Hope and a trustee for the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation. The Backyard Grill is also proud of our partnership with Reach Unlimited which supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What's the best advice you've ever received and who was it from?
My grandfather was an incredible man who I looked up to growing up. He was a true gentleman who until his last day continued to teach his grandkids the difference between right and wrong. His advice to me was to live life in moderation and to help others in need. To this day, I continue to teach my kids and staff to do the same thing. He would tell me there were three things a person had to do to live to 100 years old: never eat bread, eat a cup of oatmeal every morning, and drink a glass of red wine before you go to bed. I am not sure how well he followed his own advice – and I guarantee I have had many burgers and beers in my lifetime – but it worked for him. He passed away shortly after his 100th birthday.
Joseph Severson
Business Owner/Partner, Service Manager/Technician, Aire Serv of Houston Northwest & Katy
What was your first professional job and how did that influence who you are today? My first professional job I started as a low man on the totem pole on a framing crew building new houses. Pretty quickly I realized I liked working with my hands, figuring things out and building. I realized I wasn’t half bad, but when the opportunity to work in air conditioning presented itself, I knew I’d found my calling.
What's the best advice you've ever received and who was it from? Twenty-five years ago my grandfather was trying to convince me to move to the Oregon Coast and said, “If you’ll just show up, work, and be fair with people, you’ll have all the work you could want.” He’s the reason I got into construction and he set me on the path to being a self-employed business owner.
How do you choose to have a positive impact on the Cypress community? When the opportunity to serve presents itself, we do everything we can to answer the call. During the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, we were asked to cook meals on our barbecue pit. That turned into a cooking marathon and distribution of about 4,000 meals to people in need. We had a small army of employees, friends, family, customers and volunteers helping us help others.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Nearly 11 years ago, my wife and I started with my truck and our small savings account. We’ve built that into a company that prides itself on conducting business in an honest, transparent manner with the customers’ best interest at heart.
MARTIN MORALES
Fire Captain/Coach & Athlete, Houston Fire Department & Willowfork Fire Department
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Having the honor of being a father to our two beautiful children. It has been a blessing to watch them grow up to be the great young man and young woman they have become.
What led you to become a firefighter?
I became a firefighter because I feel God gives everyone a gift. I believe God put me on this earth to help others during the toughest times of their lives. Whether it’s helping someone in a vehicle accident, a house fire, or even just listening to someone who’s having a bad day. Being a firefighter doesn’t stop when you leave the firehouse.
How do you choose to be a positive influence in the Cypress community?
On my days off from the firehouse, I coach at Bridgelakes Crossfit. I enjoy teaching others about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. The best reward I receive from coaching is watching our members getting out of their comfort zone and accomplishing things they never thought they could do. Let’s just say it’s breathtaking for me! I want members I coach to be confident, not only in the gym but during their everyday lives.
What influences did you have growing up?
My parents were definitely the biggest influence on who I am today. They taught me to never take anything for granted, to work hard and be the best at whatever you set your mind to. I grew up in the small West Texas town of Monahans, Texas. Sports was a big deal there - football in particular. I wasn’t a big guy, standing at 5’ 7” and weighed about 150 lbs. I usually was the smallest player on the field, but I refused to allow my size to be an excuse of being subpar at anything I did. This inspired me to work hard and to always lead by example.