The Conroe Industrial Development Corporation is operated under the supervision of the Conroe City Council and acts to promote economic development by attracting new and expanded businesses to the city. Currently, approximately 5,000 individuals are employed by companies within the CID’s two business park. These companies have added a value of over $1billion-dollars to Conroe’s property tax roll.

I was appointed to the board by Conroe City Council and elected Chairman at my first meeting in January 2024. Since then, I have had the opportunity to examine in detail the alarming financial situation thrust upon Conroe by the “City’s worst ever financial decision” to build and fund a $150 million-dollar hotel and convention center.

The challenge of balancing Conroe’s indebtedness against its revenues compelled me to run for City Council.

For the past thirty years I have been CEO and President of Hairel Enterprises, Inc., a nationally recognized professional audio, video and lighting contracting company doing projects in fifteen states.  These projects include an NBA Sports Arena, World Class Museums, Worship Facilities, Professional Performing Arts Centers, and University Facilities.

You have experienced my company’s work if you have watched the Rockets on TV, sat in a suite at Toyota Center, explored the Wiess Energy Exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, enjoyed a performance at Hobby Center, or worshipped at any of the largest churches in Conroe and Southeast Texas. I and my team have sat at the table as a major contractor in $1.4 billion dollars’ worth of projects, both public and private.

• • After years of producing and directing countless performances, attending live productions as our favorite entertainment and, of course, building theatres, serving the Crighton was a natural fit for me. I have been on the Crighton Theatre Foundation Board for 18 years, serving as President for 11 years. In that time, we have preserved the Foundation’s original intentions for performing arts , strengthened the board with exceptional leadership and added the lovely Woodforest Lobby.I am proud to serve as either a board member or an advisor for the following:
    • Baylor University Truett Seminary
      • Created the David and Debbie Hairel Endowed Scholarship
    • Lone star College LET Workforce,
    • Conroe Mainstreet Operational Committee
    • Conroe Performing Arts Center Committee

After completing an undergraduate degree at Baylor University and a master’s degree at Southwestern Theological Seminary I served several churches, including First Baptist Conroe, as Worship Pastor. It was my joy to lead over 500 volunteers and participants to produce large seasonal programs and pageants as well as leading in weekly worship and ministry.

My wife Debbie is also a graduate of Baylor University and holds a master’s degree from Sam Houston. She and I raised our two children in Conroe while she taught music at Sam Houston Elementary and later at Geisinger Elementary where she started the annual tradition of “The Nutcracker” Fourth Grade Performance.  In more recent years, Debbie was a founding board member of Journey Home, Montgomery County’s only current maternity home.

We have two adult children and two grandsons, all residing in Texas.

Debbie and I are active member with leadership roles at the Harvest Community of the Woodlands Methodist Church.