About Chris
Chris Ehlinger is the loyal Democrat in the race for HCAD Place 2 that will protect and defend the rights of ALL Harris County property owners.
He is a CPA/MBA with 20+ years’ experience in Auditing, Appraisal Valuation, Real Estate, Banking, and Executive Management. But while his job experience is just what the HCAD Board needs, his personal story and struggles make him the right choice for what the people of Harris County need in a public official.
Early Life
Growing up as one of twelve children in rural South Texas on a subsistence family farm, Chris learned the meaning of hard work early. Life on the farm was never easy, but Chris always managed to make things work.
The work was constant: farm chores, school, outside jobs, there was never free time. Summers were spent working in the blazing Texas sun. And the poverty was constant. Summers were the worst, because there were no school lunches.
Chris realized early that education was key to a brighter future. He had to have the grades, but he also had to find the money. His family was unable to support his education. But Chris made it work. He took all the extra work he could find and saved everything. It was a close call, but he managed to save just enough to barely afford to attend Texas A&M.
Education and Career
Chris’ college career wasn’t a party. It was a constant struggle to make rent and keep the college cashier’s office at bay. But Chris got it done. He graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Accounting and Finance and sat for the CPA Exam.
Chris began his career as an Accountant/CPA with a Big Five Accounting Firm in Houston. While working in Public Accounting, Chris made time to obtain his MBA from the University of Houston at night.
Chris had always wanted to go into Banking, and after a few years in Public Accounting he did so, embarking on a 20+ year career in community banking. During those years, Chris specialized in real estate transactions, asset valuations, and risk management, eventually progressing to the level of CFO of a bank. Chris has also worked in logistics, and non-profit management. Chris usually worked two jobs, with side hustles ranging from flipping houses to even owning his own small business.
Chris knows that taxpayer funds are the result of someone else’s hard work and that those funds need to be spent wisely. Chris also knows what it means to need government assistance (school lunches, food stamps, charity) from his impoverished youth and knows that there is a role for government to make the lives of its citizens better.
Activism & Community Volunteer
Chris knows that strong communities foster strong people. That’s why Chris has spent a lifetime helping his community.
Chris has devoted thousands of hours in leadership of neighborhood groups like the Timbergrove Manor Civic Association, serving on the Board of Directors of EPAH and the Caucus, serving as his Democratic Precinct Chair, as a member of Oak Forest Area Democrats, and as a member of Super Neighborhood 14.
Chris also has volunteered for dozens of Democratic political campaigns over the years.
Join the fight for Harris County Taxpayers!
Support Chris today to defend your rights at HCAD
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