Eric Lannen is running for the Carroll ISD board of trustees Place 4 seat.

He will run against Matt Bryant and Dudley Jordan in the May 5 election.

Community Impact Newspaper sent Lannen a series of questions about his candidacy. His written responses, edited for publication style, are below.



Q: What is your current occupation?
Chief human resource officer for Basic Energy Services in Fort Worth.

Q: Why did you decide to run for this office?
I love living in Southlake and I care deeply about our kids and their teachers. I desire that CISD graduate curious, proficient and well-grounded young adults who strive to keep learning while serving their communities and society in general. I believe my extensive professional and executive leadership experience in human resources, as well as communications, real estate, facilities and security will bring unique perspective and expertise to the CISD school board.

Q: What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position?
I have more than 26 years of professional and executive leadership experience working for five companies in four industries. I have many years of practical experience in compensation, benefits, employee contracts, recruiting, employee relations, HR information systems, training and development, facilities management and policy and process development.

I’ve personally conducted or overseen hundreds of investigations of confidential employee issues including discrimination, harassment and employee misconduct. I’ve been directly accountable to boards of directors and CEOs, and I have been accountable for or managed budgets in excess of $400 million per year. I’ve advised and managed teams through severe industry downturns, requiring difficult cost-cutting and management decisions.  

Q: If elected, what would be your top priorities?
Take CARE [Counselors, Attract and retain, Respect, Engagement and communication] of students by 1) hiring or training more counselors who are specialized to identify and deal with kids in crisis and are hired into a role focused more on the social and emotional well-being of the student; 2) Review compensation and benefits policies and programs to validate we can attract and retain the best talent available at all levels; 3) Work to ensure that all stakeholders are treated with respect and that our children have a safe learning environment; 4) Support technology that enhances the level of engagement and communication between the community and CISD staff; and 5) Maintain strong ethical and fiscal stewardship over the money and assets entrusted to the board.

Q: What else do you want constituents to know about you and your background?
I grew up on a farm west of Southlake in Springtown, Texas, but I finished high school and graduated from Kingwood High School, near Houston. I have the best parents in the world. My father was an aircraft mechanic and my mother was a homemaker. My faith, my family and my community are the most important things to me.

I have two children in Carroll ISD schools (one is in 7seventh grade at Dawson Middle School and the other is in 10th grade at Carroll High School). I also have a Carroll graduate who is studying business at Oklahoma University. My experience is diverse; I’ve lived/worked in eight countries and managed resources in more than 50 countries on six continents. I am an active community volunteer including 121 Community Church, CISD advisory committee, my neighborhood HOA and Southlake Young Life. I attended Baylor but graduated from Texas A&M in 1989 with a bachelor of science degree in sociology and a minor in real estate. I have three professional human resources certifications including CP, SCP & SPHR. I’m trained in conflict resolution.