​​​​​Joe M. Adams​

Joe Adams and his wife, Donna, who are native Texans, returned to their home state in December 1986, after working in New Orleans, Dallas, and overseas in London and Cairo with the oil and gas service industry. Settling in Katy with their two young children, they’ve never wanted to leave. They quickly became involved in the Katy community, joining Kingsland Baptist Church where Joe has been an active and committed member, serving as a deacon and Bible study leader and director and on committees, including as the chairman of a major building campaign for the church and volunteering for Katy Christian Ministries.

Only two years after moving here, Joe sought to give back to the community by running for trustee for the Katy Independent School District. His election was successful and so began Joe’s 27-years of service on behalf of the students, teachers, and staff of Katy ISD. He was elected trustee for eight terms during that timeframe.

On the Board from 1989 to 2016, Joe worked with three superintendents and 30 different board members. He held every Board position, including four terms as president. While a trustee, Joe was also a founding director of the Katy ISD Education Foundation which supports teachers in instructional innovation. He extended his area of service as a director for both the Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), where as a graduate of Leadership TASB, he was honored as a Master Trustee and was named vice president.

During his tenure, Katy ISD grew from 20,000 to 70,000 students, added 39 new schools, countless renovations and additions, including groundbreaking performing arts and ninth grade centers. This was all a result of an astonishing $2.4 billion dollars of voter-approved bonds. While all of this was being accomplished, Katy ISD maintained its reputation for educational excellence. Joe brought a wealth of wisdom and knowledge and a deep passion for public schools to his position. He was recognized by those he served with for making decisions based on the best interest of the District’s students and employees, even if they were not the most popular. His contributions have positively impacted thousands of students and their families and will for years to come.

Joe served the kids of Katy ISD in other ways too. He was a KEYS mentor and named Mentor of the Year in 2013 at Taylor High School; read to elementary school children in the Promise to Read program; and worked with students involved in Junior Achievement. Like most parents, he and his wife Donna have been involved in organizations for their children’s schools and activities like the Taylor High Band Boosters and parent teacher associations and organizations from elementary through high school.

Born and raised in southeast Texas, anyone who has met Joe knows that he is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Texas Aggie Band. He is a member of the Katy A&M Club, Houston A&M Club, 12th Man Association and IMPACT. Joe currently owns and operates a small business in Katy. He and his wife have two children who have blessed them with seven grandchildren.