Beginning his career in the film industry, McCoy worked in marketing, commercials and on the TV show “Dallas” before returning to the Houston area in 2013 to be closer to family. McCoy has also served as president for the Fulshear Regional Chamber for Commerce since its inception in 2013.
Community Impact spoke with him about settling into his new role, his goals as mayor and his plans for community growth. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
What has your first couple of months serving as mayor been like?
It's been challenging, but it's been fun. I can tell you what, I couldn't be half as good as I want to be if I didn't have the confidence in the team here ... who have all embraced the new mayor, not knowing what they were going to get because they really didn't know me that well, but that's okay, and now we're getting to know each other, and I think it's good.
We have some fresh faces on City Council. We have some fresh employees in leadership positions. We're getting the help we need because this city's growing extremely fast, and we have to stay a little bit ahead of that curve on infrastructure, roads, you name it, and try to head off any of these issues before they become a problem.
Sometimes leading at the city level, at City Council, I try to invoke a little humor, lightheartedness makes it fun. It doesn't all have to be doom and gloom. We're all people when it comes down to it, and we're all doing the best we can. It's not like we're making a living at this, and you have to have a real passion for what you do if you volunteer or serve for a community, and that's what I do. I think Fulshear has a tremendous history and a tremendous future.
How has serving as the chamber president prepared you for serving as mayor?
I think what prepared me was being able to have the opportunity to listen to the community. I think that's probably where a lot of people in leadership or in government tend to fall. If they don't listen to the common person out there and what they want. ... If you have a great idea, that's great, bring it to me. I'd love to hear what you have. I mean, to me, it's all about creativity.
What are some goals you have this year?
This year, [I’d love to] have [a] senior center up and running—I think would be a real fun goal.
Another goal is to get some agreements in principle for some entertainment venues to come here and be here. ... We'd love to have a City Hall downtown and make this [building] the police department, and I think we're moving in that right direction.
What are some things you would like to accomplish during your term?
To see Harris Street complete. To actually do an event downtown would be great, ... [and] to have our water not be an issue in our infrastructure.
Another goal would be to have a community that is truly happy with their city government. I always said this—if we can be Buc-ee’s clean, Chick-fil-A service and people will understand what that means, right? What would be great is if our phones were silent and not full of complaints, that would be a great goal.
Also another goal, I'd like to have a real person answering the phone when they call City Hall. ... I think it would be great because everybody says we want that small town feel, but we're getting big. ... That, to me, would be phenomenal. We understand we're growing really fast, and technology can sort of make things impersonal, but I want to stay human, stay personal.
What is your plan for balancing the city's needs as the population climbs?
The city has its plan and strategic plan, and we are slated to grow almost double our size in the near future.
My personal plan is to keep our team focused on the here and now but keep an eye on what's coming. There's a train coming down the track and we need to make sure that we have enough rails for it to not go off—that's [the] best metaphor.
Outside of your role, what do you like to do in all of your free time?
Well, I love to announce at the football games, and, of course, the Fulshear softball games. ... I'm their announcer for the girls. ... I love to go exploring—what I mean by that is day trips to historical places or iconic bucket list items. So, just to get away and kind of leave everything behind, turn off the cellphone. I did Colorado, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, [went] to San Antonio. I love doing history things, but I love doing this. I really, really do. It's a blast so every day is sort of a vacation.
