Allen Owen has served nearly 20 years as the mayor of Missouri City. Before his election in 1994, Owen served five years on the city's planning and zoning commission and eight years on City Council. He currently serves as a board member for several organizations, including the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Bend Women's Center, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend and the Fort Bend Community Justice Council.

Owen and his wife, Jane, have been Missouri City residents for more than 35 years. Before beginning his career in public service, Owen worked as a government liaison and senior vice president with Wells Fargo Bank. He has earned degrees from Stephen F. Austin University and the Southern Methodist University Graduate School of Finance and Banking. Owen is the 10th Mayor to serve the city of Missouri City since its incorporation in 1956.

Allen Owen has served nearly 20 years as the mayor of Missouri City. Before his election in 1994, Owen served five years on the city's planning and zoning commission and eight years on City Council. He currently serves as a board member for several organizations, including the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Bend Women's Center, the Literacy Council of Fort Bend and the Fort Bend Community Justice Council.

Owen and his wife, Jane, have been Missouri City residents for more than 35 years. Before beginning his career in public service, Owen worked as a government liaison and senior vice president with Wells Fargo Bank. He has earned degrees from Stephen F. Austin University and the Southern Methodist University Graduate School of Finance and Banking. Owen is the 10th Mayor to serve the city of Missouri City since its incorporation in 1956.

What makes Missouri City a distinctive place to work and live?

Missouri City is unique in that we have a very diverse community with a good mix of both residential as well as commercial development. We are within 15 minutes of the Medical Center and downtown Houston where a large number of our residents are employed. We have a very high level of educated, higher income, homeowner individuals compared to the averages. We have grown to be one of the safest and best [cities] in the U.S. Recently, a study showed us to be the most diverse city in the region.

What have been some of your top priorities since being elected?

We are pleased about all of the development in our two industrial parks, and it's something we have worked on for years. This gives us the employment opportunities as well as an increased tax base that we have not had in the past. Large companies like Ben E. Keith, Niagara Bottling, Global Geophysical, Lufkin Automation, Southwest Electronics, Warren Alloy, Twin Star Bakery, Charming Charlie's, and others have found Missouri City as the place to locate their facilities. We are becoming a sought-after location.

How has Missouri City changed since you first moved here?

When I first moved to Missouri City the population was much smaller. Hwy. 6 had not even developed, Sienna Plantation had not started being developed and for the most part the city was made up of roof tops and very little commercial or retail business. We had one fire station and a small police force. Fire and police officers were cross-trained and could do either job and many times did. We have seen our city change dramatically with the addition of large subdivisions and new retail and commercial businesses, yet we have kept the small-town atmosphere. There are many more changes that have occurred but are too many to mention.

What are some projects or developments Missouri City residents can expect to see in 2014?

Over the next year, we will continue to market our two existing industrial parks as well as looking along the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road and the Hwy. 90 area as future sites for development. We are also looking at a possible bond election in May. I love the fact that our citizens understand the needs of the city.