With experience setting up companies around the world, Eric Ovlen, mayor of the Village of The Hills, said he is prepared to help build the village’s presence as it transitions to new staff members.

Ovlen, a retired corporate executive and resident of The Hills, was appointed to become the municipality’s mayor in March, when former Mayor Ron Dodd resigned after two years in office and a total of nine years serving on the village’s board of aldermen.

“This is a time of transition,” Ovlen said. “I’ve helped companies through staff transitions and changes, and I thought I could do that here. It’s a great chance to give back to the community.”

During his term, Ovlen said he will help the city transition to a new administrator. Although City Administrator Dan Roark will be retiring in May, he will remain in an advisory position until November.

“I’ve always been involved in the ‘people’ side of business,” Ovlen said.

His experience includes several vice president and director positions with various human resources departments and companies. Ovlen has also worked in city government in California and said he believes his combined experience make him a great fit for the position.

Ovlen and wife, Pam, bought a house in The Hills in March 2011, but did not move there permanently until October 2012. Since then, Ovlen has served on the municipality’s Park Commission serving for a year as its chairman. He joined the governing board of aldermen after the November elections and is currently the president of the Lakeway Newcomers Club.

Dodd’s mayoral term will expire this November, at which point Ovlen said he will run for mayor in the election if his time over the next few months goes well.

“I want to help the Village of The Hills retain its value and lifestyle,” he said. “This isn’t about being a politician or figurehead—it’s about helping develop a new presence.”

Ovlen said his goals include working with other nearby towns to create a cohesive effort for regional issues, such as oak wilt and traffic.

“I want to bring The Hills out of the shadows,” he said. “These issues can’t be isolated.”

Ovlen said he also looks forward to helping build a Youth Advisory Commission. The new commission is set to become active in September 2016 and will involve ninth-12th-graders from the area. Students in the program would participate in city government, volunteer and help create activities and events for teenagers, he said.

“We need the voice of the younger members of our community,” Ovlen said. “I think this will help put us on the map.”

Having been involved in producing high school theatrical comedies and officiating both high school and college football games, Ovlen has more than 30 years of experience working with youth. Now that he is retired, he said the friendly community of The Hills is what inspired him to get involved here.

“When you come to a new place and you’re older, not working and don’t have kids around, how do you meet new people?” Ovlen said. “Texans really have been very friendly. There are so many opportunities to get involved.”

“There are so many opportunities here,” he said. “We’re happy as a clam here.”