R. S. Shep and JoeAnn Stahel

Shep Stahel had involved himself with the city since 1983. His first appointment began on the cable TV advisory board where he met with a small group of citizens to make adjustments on the location of the cable boxes. At about the same time, Stahel became co-founder of the Plano Homeowners Council in 1983 when development accelerated and residents needed advice on organizing and advocating. Stahel was then asked to chair the Horizon Committee, writing the comprehensive plan for the city. Stahel was then appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for six years where he was able to implement the city’s comprehensive plan he worked so hard to help create.

Spending six years on the P&Z commission with two years as chairman, Stahel decided to pursue his passion in Parks and Recreation. He served five years on the Parks Planning Board, including two years as chairman. Memorable achievements during his tenure included creating the first nature preserve at Arbor Hills and Oak Point and beginning construction of the Oak Point Recreation Center, which featured a competition pool for city swimmers.

Concurrently, he chaired the Library Foundation, which raised $100,000 in two years with the sale of tickets donated by British Airways and appearances by the Duke of Argyll and the British Caledonian Pipe Band. In 1999, a spot opened on the Plano City Council. Stahel said he “threw his hat in the ring” and got elected, which meant he had to resign from the Parks board.

At 70, Stahel plans to continue working as the business manger for IBM and spending time with is wife JoeAnn.