Paul Willmon, DC
Founder, Fairfield Chiropractic
Share a brief bio about yourself.
I’m a husband, father of six, granddad of two, and the founder of Fairfield Chiropractic that has been caring for people in the Fairfield area since 2005. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 1995 and Texas Chiropractic College in 1999. My free time is spent mountain biking on the bayou, taking my kids on neighborhood bike rides, and operating a food pantry. Our family loves to go tent camping in state parks.
Who has mentored or inspired you in life?
Two people have been instrumental in my life as mentors. Professionally, Lesha Roberts was my chiropractic mentor. I experienced an internship in her office at the end of chiropractic school, and she taught me how to be thorough in examining patients while creating rapport. More importantly, she taught me how to deliver bad news to patients in a caring and professional manner and how to deal with a variety of ways people will respond to that news. Personally, my mentor has been my best friend, Professor Vida Robertson. I first met him when he and his family came to our church when they moved her for his career at UH-Downtown. We had them over for dinner, and our friendship developed from there. He is so well read, and he would give me books to read and then we would have our own little book club discussing them. I have learned so much from him personally and spiritually.
What’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure”?
My favorite guilty pleasure is chips – potato, corn – it doesn’t matter. I enjoy the crunch, the saltiness, and various flavors. Barbecue chips are my favorite, but I don’t limit myself.
What’s your favorite local hidden gem?
My hidden gem would be Retro Café. Their Banh mi is delicious. I don’t get many chances to go there, but I don’t regret it any time I do.
How do you invest in the community and why is it important to you?
My wife and I have invested in the Cy-Fair community in several ways. We have been part of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with our children. The office sponsors activities, particularly those related to foster and adoption, which is close to our heart. We, mostly Lisa, were involved in starting the first homeschool group in this area – Cypress Homeschool Association. We were one of four founding families. Investing in the community is important because these are the people that you do life with, that you live next to, that your kids grow up with, and so investing in the community is investing in the present AND in the future world that you hope to make.
Austin Miller
Apollo Productions, Photographer + Producer
Share a brief bio about yourself.
My name is Austin Miller, I was born and raised in the community of Beaverdale, Iowa. I moved to Texas just before high school and lived in and around Houston for the last 25 years. I’m a photographer, a proud father of two boys (Zachariah and Nolan), a firefighter, and a lucky husband. My wife, Kelsey and I moved our family to Cypress in 2024 and are proud to be a part of this incredible community.
Who has mentored or inspired you in life?
I come from a long line of artists. My grandfather, Fred Carter Smith, was a national broadcast and stage actor. My father, Phil Miller, was a photographer and studio manager in the film era. I grew up following him through the shadows of our basement darkroom and behind the scenes of all the studios where he worked. When I was still young, he became ill. That was when I committed to learning his trade, and as his health declined, I picked up his tools and his teachings and started a career as an artist. Along with patience and the commitment for perfection that I learned from my father, I credit the men and women I’ve served alongside in the fire service for showing me many of the tools I’ve used to find success in my professional and even personal life. Many of the lessons learned on a fire truck helped to build the fundamental values of our photography and production company.
What’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure”?
I have an unhealthy relationship with the game of Tetris.
What’s your favorite local hidden gem?
Edojin Sushi is my favorite spot in Cypress. Don’t order off the menu, just trust the chef.
How do you invest in the community and why is it important to you?
Investing in our community is a priority. I was lucky enough to have some incredible coaches, directors, and mentors growing up. I believe it’s our responsibility to pay that forward to the next generation.
Whether that’s spending my time coaching a middle school baseball team or thanks to our incredible Apollo team, partnering with Jowell Elementary School through the CFISD Adopt-a-school program, go Jaguars!
With Apollo Productions, our team provides photography and film production services for both local and national clients in the private, public, and charitable sectors. We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality in every detail of our productions, operational readiness in our tools and systems, and our unique understanding of collaboration helps us to find creative solutions to consistently meet the needs of our clients.
Scottie Stevens
Technology Manager, Katy ISD
Founder, Basketball For All, Inc.
Share a brief bio about yourself.
I’m a proud father of two amazing children, Megan and Justin. I was born in Houston but spent much of my childhood in Ville Platte, Louisiana, where growing up in a small-town instilled values I still live by today. I returned to Houston during high school and later attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia where I developed a strong passion for community service, volunteering with youth and community-based programs.
After college, I lived and worked in different parts of the country, but Houston was always home. I moved back in 2008 and, wanting a vibrant community with strong schools, chose the Cypress area and Cy-Fair ISD, a decision that positively impacted both my life and my son Justin’s life.
I later joined Cy-Fair ISD as a technology assistant and eventually moved into a leadership role in technology services, where I worked for 14 years.
Most of all, I’m deeply grateful for the support shown by the Cy-Fair ISD community to my son Justin, a life skills student, as it has made a meaningful difference in his social development and growth.
Who has mentored or inspired you in life?
My parents and maternal grandmother played a major role in shaping who I am today and their influence remains strong. I was fortunate to have four older brothers who became my mentors. They took me under their wings, providing guidance, support, and encouragement for something I am deeply grateful for.
My greatest inspiration, however, has been my son, Justin, who is diagnosed with Down syndrome. He has truly been a blessing in my life. His unconditional love and the way he views the world is incredibly inspiring and uplifting. He reminds me every day to appreciate life from a different perspective.
What’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure”?
My favorite guilty pleasure is watching detective shows. I’m always intrigued by how cases unfold and the process investigators use to piece everything together and reach a conclusion.
What’s your favorite local hidden gem?
Cypress Sunrise Cafe is a fairly new establishment in Cypress that only serves breakfast and lunch. Very cozy and has a small town feel and the food is delicious!
How do you invest in the community and why is it important to you?
I invest in my community as the founder of Basketball For All, a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. We provide participants (many of whom have aged out of the school system) with the opportunity to participate during halftime at Cy-Fair ISD high schools and local college basketball games, giving them a stage that is often not accessible within the special needs community.
We currently partner with six CFISD high schools, with a goal of expanding to all 12 campuses. Basketball For All has become a halftime staple throughout the CFISD basketball season and at events like the Houston Methodist Cy-Hoops Invitational at the Berry Center.
This work is important to me because it encourages inclusion, raises awareness, and fills a critical gap by helping individuals stay active, connected, and confident while showcasing their abilities.
Kayne Smith, Ed.D
Director of Transportation Services, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
President, Texas Association for Pupil Transportation
Share a brief bio about yourself.
I was born and raised in Port Neches, TX, and came to the Cypress area in 2014 when I joined Cy-Fair ISD. I am the father of three amazing boys – Henry (12), Eli (11), and James (3). I try to spend as much time as possible with them, from sporting events such as Texas Longhorns games to Friday night lights at the Berry Center, or to theater shows (I am a proud theater dad).
I serve as the director of transportation for Cy-Fair ISD, having served in this role since 2018. I started driving a school bus in 2003 (on my 18th birthday) and served a few years as a high school social studies teacher. I hold a bachelor’s in history and a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership.
Who has mentored or inspired you in life?
There are several – first, my parents, who always instilled a hard work ethic in me and the drive to “do better.” I am the first in my family to graduate from college, and the motivation from my parents is the driving factor behind that. Beyond my parents, several leaders and colleagues in my career have inspired me, from my first boss who trusted me at 18 years old to drive a school bus to leaders in CFISD, many of whom are now building namesakes. My associate director inspires me daily – she is in her 47th year with the department, and comes to work daily, full of energy and fresh with ideas of how we can constantly grow and improve. If that’s not inspiration, I do not know what is. I am blessed to be where I am today, and it would not be possible without several people in my life who have inspired me to keep going.
What’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure”?
I am a nerd – I will go home and turn on documentaries about history or science and that will grab my attention for hours – only unless something in the show peaks my interest, then I will research it on my computer and completely miss the remainder of the show. If the TV is not on, then I will have music playing, likely one of the 1,000 plus albums that I inherited from my parents, and it will almost always be classic rock or classic country.
What’s your favorite local hidden gem?
Stageworks Theatre is my favorite local “hidden” gem. It is a wonderful place for people interested in the theater, and has given so much to my boys, who have been active for several years and have performed in multiple shows. If you, or if you have children, who are interested in theater, or if you simply want to watch performances by local actors, Stageworks is a hidden gem in Cypress.
How do you invest in the community and why is it important to you?
My time in the community is spent supporting Cy-Fair ISD and other youth events when possible. My boys are active in a local theater, and when possible, I volunteer my time there, supporting the students who aspire to be in theater. Investing and giving back in this community is important to me. Although I was not raised here, Cypress has been very welcoming to me and my family and has been a fantastic place to settle and raise a young family. I want to see the continued growth and success of our community.
Bryan Bankhead
Co-Owner, Serenity Wellness and Counseling Center
Share a brief bio about yourself.
I am the Co-Owner of Serenity Wellness and Counseling Center where I specialize in LENS Neurofeedback and functional medicine wellness coaching. My work focuses on helping both adults and children navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, and burnout—especially when these struggles show up as rumination, low motivation, difficulty focusing, and feeling stuck.
Taking an integrative, root-cause approach looking at how these patterns are connected across the brain and body, including gut health, nervous system regulation, and overall lifestyle. By combining tools like neurofeedback to support brain function, targeted nutrition and supplements to improve gut health, and collaborative work alongside therapeutic modalities such as psychedelic-assisted treatment and emerging wellness approaches like peptides, clients are able to move beyond just managing symptoms. The goal is simple but powerful: helping people regain clarity, focus, and energy so they can reconnect with themselves and begin living with more joy, motivation, authenticity, and purpose.
My path into this field was shaped by personal loss and life experiences that challenged me to look deeper into what true healing really means. Through that process, I began to understand that lasting change doesn’t come from quick fixes—it comes from addressing the whole person.
At Serenity, I work alongside my wife, Nicole, and a team of dedicated clinicians to offer a more integrative approach to care—one that goes beyond traditional models and allows clients to feel truly supported in their healing process. Alongside neurofeedback and functional wellness, I support therapeutic retreats in psychedelic-assisted therapy, helping individuals prepare for and integrate these experiences safely and intentionally. I see this as an important evolution in care for those who haven’t found relief through traditional approaches. I’m also interested in emerging wellness tools like peptides, which are being studied for their potential to support brain function, recovery, sleep, inflammation, and overall mental and physical well-being.
At the core of everything I do is a simple belief: “Real healing happens when we stop chasing quick fixes and start understanding how the brain, body, and life experiences all work together.”
Who has mentored or inspired you in life?
I’ve been fortunate to have a strong support system in my life, and a lot of my inspiration comes from my family and close friends who have consistently shown up for me through every stage of life. Having steady, grounded support has shaped the way I approach both my personal life and my work with others.
Professionally, I’ve been especially grateful for the mentorship of Kelly Peyton with Katy Counseling. Her guidance in LENS Neurofeedback played a significant role in helping me develop both the technical skills and the confidence to grow in this field. She also modeled what it looks like to truly care for clients in a thoughtful and ethical way, which has had a lasting impact on how I practice today. I’m also inspired by the broader community of practitioners who are helping move the field of mental health and wellness forward—those who are willing to explore new approaches while still honoring safety, integrity, and responsibility in the work.
What’s your favorite “guilty pleasure”?
Ice cream and cookies—no question.
How do you invest in the community and why is it important to you?
I’ve had the privilege of volunteering for over 15 years with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Special Children’s Committee, where we serve individuals with special needs and help create meaningful and memorable experiences for them each year. Being part of something that brings genuine joy and excitement to others is something I don’t take lightly, and it’s been one of the most rewarding ways I’ve stayed connected to the community.
Beyond that, I invest in the community through the work we do at Serenity. A big part of what drives me is helping people better understand their own health—both mentally and physically—and giving them practical tools they can actually use in their day-to-day lives. When someone begins to feel better, think more clearly, and show up differently in their relationships, it creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual.
To me, community matters because it’s not just about individual success—it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and capable of living healthier, more balanced lives. When that happens, everyone benefits.
Chris Fillmore
President, Cy-Fair Professional Firefighters Association Local 5248
Share a brief bio about yourself.
Born and raised in Cy-Fair, I graduated from Cy-Springs in 2008 and began volunteering with the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department. After completing Lone Star College–CyFair Fire & EMS in 2010, I served with North Montgomery County Fire Department before joining the Houston Fire Department in 2011, and transitioning from volunteer to part-time with Cy-Fair FD. When Harris County ESD #9/Cy-Fair FD became full-time in 2020, I joined as a Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain in July 2025.
Though I’m being recognized, what my wife Ashley does in the background to support me day in and day out is beyond worthy of distinction. We have two amazing kids, Preston (13) and Emory (5), and are proud to raise them in the same community and schools where we grew up.
In September 2021, we lost Driver/Operator Hugo Guevara of the Cy-Fair FD in the line of duty to COVID. Hugo and I went to high school and fire school together, played football at Cy-Springs and began our careers in the fire service side-by-side. While the department and community showed tremendous support after his passing, we recognized a gap in the support the International Association of Firefighters could have provided to our department and Hugo’s family. In response, some of our members began working to reactivate the local union in Cy-Fair.
In May of 2022 I was elected as President of the Cy-Fair Professional Firefighters Association Local 5248. I’ve learned a lot along the way with strong support from my family and the 284 members I’m lucky to represent. We established a charitable fund that provides toys and bikes to underprivileged students in our community and supports members and their families during on-the-job, personal, and family crises. We also work with ESD #9 commissioners and department leadership to improve the safety of our members, and to establish a departmental mental health program, provide IAFF resources, and implement policies that enhance member safety.
The men and women I represent make this recognition possible—their dedication to protecting the Cy-Fair community is what truly stands out. Their service is a big part of what makes this a safe, great place to raise a family. Knowing when I’m away on duty or union business my own family will be cared for in an emergency gives me tremendous peace of mind.
Who has mentored or inspired you in life?
My dad, Bill, has been my biggest mentor. He instilled a strong work ethic early on, coaching my youth sports and, as a single father, always showing up. Even when it would have been easier for him, he never let me quit something I committed to. When I decided to change my career pursuits, he told me, “If that’s the career you want to pursue, that’s fine—you just better give it your all to be successful on this journey.” He continues to remind me how proud he is of what I’ve accomplished with each new milestone.
Career-wise, my mentor (who wouldn’t describe himself that way but instead considers us friends) has played a major role in guiding my career. I met Rob Grass at 18 when I began volunteering at Cy-Fair Station 8. He later became one of my instructors at Lone Star College Fire Academy. After I was hired by the Houston FD, I was fortunate to have him as my captain at Station 67. He showed what leadership looked like while also caring about every person that worked for him. He had high expectations of what we would achieve but kept the job fun and exciting. The way he led made others strive to meet his expectations. I aim to lead my crew and the members just as Rob has shown me throughout my career.
What’s your favorite “guilty-pleasure”?
Probably my love of craft beer. Rob Grass introduced me to brewing my own beer. I wish I had more time to do it. My wife loves going to H-E-B and surprising me with a new beer. During COVID, many local breweries struggled or closed. I’d love to see them return with community support!
What’s your favorite local hidden gem?
Creekwood Grill. While they may not be “hidden” given how much they support the community, I love their great food, kid-friendly space, and live local music. It’s a true gathering place where families can relax while the kids play.
How do you invest in the community and why is it important to you?
Investing in our community is what makes our union a great organization. We’re part of the same community we protect.
Through the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce, we’ve connected and partnered with organizations that actively support our community through event sponsorships and fundraising efforts.
Through our union we also formed a small cook-off team that competes in the VFW 8905 cook-off, giving back to the veterans who have done so much for our country.
I hope we can preserve the same sense of connection and small town feel our community always had. Set aside political differences, and keep the focus on taking care of our neighbors. As growth continues, I hope we remain united—being there for each other during the good times and the bad.