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Bill’s front yard became the offload site for equipment being used in the production of the pilot for the new television series “Friday Night Lights.” Shooting is taking place at a neighbor’s house. There are more than 30 tractor trailer and other production vehicles involved in the movie making effort.

“I’m a big supporter of Central Texas as a site for movie and television production. If it will help central Texas, they can use any part of my property they need,” said Welch.

Bill speaks before a packed room of realtors at the Austin Board of Realtors Political Action Committee meeting. Both the Austin Board of Realtors and the Texas Association of Realtors endorsed Welch this month.

TAR's Executive Board Chairman, Dennis Patillo applauded Welch’s unyielding commitment to Texas homeowners saying “since 9/11, real estate has been the driving economic force in Texas. Bill Welch will work to represent the concerns of Texas homeowners, which is why the Texas Association of Realtors joins the Austin Board of Realtors in pledging its full support.”

Bill is pictured at the Rodeo Austin Gala on February 11th with Bob Hodge, Director of the Austin Convention Center (right) and Tom Leonardis, President of Ember Industries (left). There were approximately 2,500 people in attendance at the Parmer Events Center for this grand kick off for the Austin Rodeo which will be held 11-25 March at the Travis County Expo Center.

Bill and Bob have a long standing friendship that has roots in their military background (they both served as Air Force aviators flying the F-4 Phantom) which has strengthened through their mutual activities to promote Austin as a great place to do business. Ember Industries is a technology industry leader in the area of contract manufacturing and has its headquarters in San Marcos, Texas.

Immediately upon completion of a $13 million airbase construction project, Bill Welch greets a newly arriving aircrew member in February of 2003. His aircraft began arriving just in time for the kick off of the war in Iraq. Bill's unit was comprised of Air National Guard C-130's from Texas, West Virginia and Georgia; Air Force reserve KC-135 refueling aircraft from Oklahoma and California, and active duty Navy P-3 Orion Aircraft from the Pacific Fleet.

During Bill's tenure his unit completed more than 1,400 combat sorties with the air refueling unit offloading more than 21 million pounds of fuel to attack bomber aircraft. The airlift unit delivered more than 2,000 tons of cargo to forward airbases and the intelligence gathering mission of the P-3 Orion was credited with a direct contribution to the swift defeat of enemy forces.

The Air Force recognized the remarkable achievements of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing by awarding them the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with a device for Valor.

Pictured with Bill is his long time friend, Colonel Ladd Pattillo. Ladd is an Austin investment banker who handles municipal bond work for Travis County and numerous other local governments. Additionally he has served as a member of the Eanes Independent School District Board. Both Bill and Ladd are Colonels in their respective services. Ladd is an Army reservist and Bill an Air Force reservist. They were together in Washington D.C. during the first week of February for an annual convention of the Reserve Officers Association where Bill was a guest speaker at the conference leadership seminar.

At the time of this photo Ladd was still on active duty orders, having just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. His unit was responsible for security of the Victory Base Complex surrounding the Baghdad International Airport. He spent nearly six months there as Deputy Commander of Dragon Brigade (an active duty Army unit).

It’s interesting to note that Ladd retired from the Army Reserve nearly five years ago. In March of 2005 the Army called and asked him if he would be willing to accept a six month return to active duty to handle the important duties he has just completed. He willingly accepted and put his very successful consulting practice on hold in order to answer the call to duty. In addition his son is a member of the Army and was stationed 200 miles north of Baghdad during the same period. Ladd traveled to his son’s base at Christmas for a father and son reunion in the war zone.

“This is a story of remarkable service to our Country and the cause of freedom, I’m very proud and honored to have Ladd Pattillo as my good friend. May God bless and keep him and his family. Thank you for your service Ladd.” Bill Welch

Our campaign billboard has just gone up featuring a photo of bill and a message underneath the Bill Welch logo that reads "Roads Yes. Tolls No."

Haesoon and Bill with Louri O'Leary and Austin Republican women at the Travis County Republican Party's Second Annual Boot and Black Tie Gala at the Hilton.

Bill is a longtime contributor to Republican candidates in Travis County and bought a table at the recent event.

You may have seen our signs around the district as we head down the stretch to the primary.  If you'd like to help support us by displaying one in your front yard, please click here and let us know.  We'll drop it off, install it, and pick it up after the election.

Bill is pictured with his long time friend, Mr. Johnny Cho, a senior executive with the Samsung Austin operations. Bill and Haesoon were guests of Samsung Corporation at the recent Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce dinner.

Bill with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich at the Texas Public Policy Foundation Policy Orientation.