Commissioners

ESD Commissioners

The Commissioners of Harris County ESD #5 are elected for four year cycles.

Sharon Cotton

President

Elected Position

Term ends 2026

My life has been full and blessed. I am married to my husband for over 49 years, resulting in 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren that I adore.

Serving as a Commissioner of ESD#5 for over twenty years has given me the opportunity to help develop the outstanding ambulance service we have today.

I wish to thank the town of Crosby for its trust in us.

Luther Brady

Vice President

Elected Position

Term ends 2026

lbrady@hcesd5.org

I am a lifelong resident of Crosby, TX. I am retired from Equistar and have had the privilege of being a member of the Crosby Fire Department, a member of the Crosby-Huffman Chamber of Commerce, a Lifetime member of the Crosby Fair and Rodeo, a Commissioner on the HCESD 5 board, a Certified Emergency Services Commissioner, and a Texas Disaster Emergency Response official. I was lucky enough to marry my high school sweetheart and we have four amazing children and 11 awesome grandchildren.

Luther Brady

Vice President

Elected Position

Term ends 2026

lbrady@hcesd5.org

James Blaha

Treasurer

Elected Position

Term ends 2028

jblaha@hcesd5.org

My name is James Blaha. I am a 71 year old Christian man and a lifelong resident of Crosby, TX. I have always enjoyed working with and raising animals. I was the president of the 4-H and FFA in Crosby High School. I also held several positions with the Lake Shadows WCID 70 for 26 years, including President of the board. After graduation from Crosby High School in 1970, I married my wife Jan and have been together for 52 years. We had two sons, Jason and Jared, who have since passed. I have always been a firm believer of giving back to our community organizations, such as the Crosby Fair and Rodeo. It has been an honor to serve on the ESD 5 Board of Directors.

Brent Burley

Asst. Treasurer

Elected Position

Terms ends 2026

bburley@hcesd5.org

Brent began his professional career in the construction industry before joining the oil industry by specializing in non-destructive testing. He was vice president of an oilfield service company and worked in the industry for more than 20 years. Brent later founded a pediatric therapy business serving the vastly underserved special needs children of eastern Harris County including Houston, Crosby and Dayton.

Being a part of the. community has always been a priority. Brent is a member of the Crosby Fair and Rodeo, Lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and a lifetime member of the Livestock Committee. Serving God, family and community are of the upmost importance to him. Being a commissioner on the Harris County ESD5 board is of importance in serving our community, and it is a considered privilege to be on the board.

Brent was born in Liberty, TX. He graduated from Humble High School and attended Texas A&M University. Married to his wife Linda for over 30 years. They have 3 children, 3 grandsons and one great-granddaughter. When not working as a commissioner, Brent's hobbies include vegetable gardening, traveling and competitive clay target shooting.

Brent began his professional career in the construction industry before joining the oil industry by specializing in non-destructive testing. He was vice president of an oilfield service company and worked in the industry for more than 20 years. Brent later founded a pediatric therapy business serving the vastly underserved special needs children of eastern Harris County including Houston, Crosby and Dayton.

Being a part of the. community has always been a priority. Brent is a member of the Crosby Fair and Rodeo, Lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and a lifetime member of the Livestock Committee. Serving God, family and community are of the upmost importance to him. Being a commissioner on the Harris County ESD5 board is of importance in serving our community, and it is a considered privilege to be on the board.

Brent was born in Liberty, TX. He graduated from Humble High School and attended Texas A&M University. Married to his wife Linda for over 30 years. They have 3 children, 3 grandsons and one great-granddaughter. When not working as a commissioner, Brent's hobbies include vegetable gardening, traveling and competitive clay target shooting.

Brent Burley

Asst. Treasurer

Elected Position

Terms ends 2026

bburley@hcesd5.org

Larry Hall

Secretary

Elected Position

Term ends 2028

lhall@hcesd5.org

Larry Hall has been serving the community as a Harris County Commissioner of ESD 5 for over 20 years. Professionally and personally, he is described as a man who has a heart of a servant and lives for nothing other than helping others regardless of the impact it might have on himself. He is willing to assist others at his own expense to ensure that the needs of the many are met, people are encouraged with a desire to persevere, and follow the path designed for them as their quality-of-life increases knowing there is someone who cares about them. His life's goal and aspirations, as a Christian Apologist, is to spread a word of encouragement and truth unapologetically; to provide the message that despite the challenges of this world, there is hope, that someone does care.

"Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ."~1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)

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