Winberry, who retires April 29, has worked with five mayors: Carter Moore, L.T. Metcalf, Webb Melder, Toby Powell and Jody Czajkoski. During his tenure, Winberry has written and guided many of the codes, ordinances and policies that have shaped the growth of Conroe, according to a city news release.
“Marcus has been a fixture with the city of Conroe in serving our city for the last 30 years,” Czajkoski said at an April 22 City Council meeting. “We’ve been blessed to work with him, and we’re definitely going to miss him.”
Council Member Duke Coon also expressed gratitude for Winberry’s service.
“I really want to thank you for your leadership and guidance. You took a 30-year old, young, inexperienced man and made him a decent councilman,” he said. “Those were some tough years back in '02 and '03 for the city. ... You were a steady ship through some of those storms. I have grown so much just by listening and learning from you.”
Council Member Raymond McDonald joked that conversations with Winberry should have counted as continuing education credit.
“Sitting in your office, I think it should be credited a lot more hours because I learned more sitting with you in those days than I ever did from any [conference or course],” he said. "Any time I had a question, no matter how small or how large, it had the same length of answer, which is very long. You never made me feel like I was taking your time."
Council Member Todd Yancey said he was nervous to meet with WInberry when he first took office, but Winberry had always been very helpful.
“[He’s been] a great help to all of us that are new,” he said.
Council Member Curt Maddux said Winberry is full of knowledge and wisdom.
“When he opened his mouth, we all listened. He was full of knowledge and he was kind of intimidating to me. ... When I’d see him at H-E-B, I’d be like ‘Oh man, can I say hello to him?’” he joked.
Council Member Marsha Porter said she has learned to speak Winberry’s language and knows to listen closely to the information he provides.
Winberry said it has been a privilege to serve the city.
“There’s nothing that I could have possibly done in my life that would have been better than the opportunity I had to work with you, so I thank you very much for that,” he said.
As for his plans for retirement, Winberry will be taking a hot air balloon over Yellowstone for his 31st wedding anniversary, according to the city news release.
