2019 Candidate Biographies

Learn more about the 2019 trustee candidates with these candidate-supplied biographies.

Jack Hendren

I am a five year resident of Wells Branch.  My wife Mary and I contribute as library volunteers.  Before retiring I pastored for twenty years serving in Texas, New England and Atlantic Canada.  I previously worked in the computer industry for twenty-five years in several executive positions.  I am a Vietnam veteran with seven years of active duty service.  Since moving to Wells Branch I have served as board member/treasurer of Care Communities, volunteer at Wells Branch Elementary and am currently president of Brattonwood Homeowners Association.  If selected, I look forward to contributing as a library trustee.

Christine Bloemsma

Christine is a 24-year Wells Branch resident. With a Bachelor’s degree in English and Sociology from Austin College and Master’s in English from Texas A&M University, Christine works at a hotel downtown and teaches at Austin Community College. She is the steward of the Single Trace Little Free Library.

Christine’s connection to WBCL goes back to the early days of residents donating boxes of books to “seed” our future library. Her involvement in the library has evolved from committed donor and patron to a parent-consumer of all children’s programs to book club participant and summer reading fanatic.

In more formal roles, Christine was involved with Wells Branch Community Library as Vice President of the Friends of the Library (FOL) group. Outside of the biennial Garage Sale, one of the larger initiatives while she was on the FOL Board was the Book Drive to re-stock the shelves of the Port Arthur Library after Hurricane Harvey. She remains a member of the FOL. Christine has served one term as a Trustee for Wells Branch Community Library and currently serves as Board Secretary.

Ralph Simon

I am currently serving my second term on the Board of Trustees of the Wells Branch Community Library as Vice President.  During my 20 plus years as a resident of the neighborhood I am also active as a volunteer in other community organizations such the Wells Branch Neighborhood Association and the Friends of the Library.  I will continue to use my 50 years of experience in the retail and investment industries to assist the Wells Branch Community Library as it continues its expansion to meet neighborhood needs.