John E.

Harper
(214) 284-6972

Dr. John Harper was elected Mayor of Rowlett in May 2007 and re-elected
in 2010. He has instituted multi-media communications resulting in
greater transparency in local government and accountability to Rowlett
citizens. He leads strategic financial management of the city operating
and capital budgets as well as economic development of Rowlett into a
Regional Center and destination. His speeches focus on North Texas mass
transit issues and statewide criminal justice issues.

In addition to his leadership role in the City of Rowlett, he is a regional

leader. He chairs the Finance Committee of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition (DRMC) and serves on the
DRMC Governing Committee. He co-chairs the Federal and States Issues Committee of TEX-21, a national
organization dedicated to transportation excellence. He is an Alternate Member of the Metroplex Regional
Transportation Council, a member of the Rockwall County Planning Consortium, and also serves on the Dallas
County Criminal Justice Advisory Board. He serves on the North Texas Commission Leadership North Texas
Steering Committee, made up of regional leaders who have a commitment to civic engagement and dedicated
to solving critical issues affecting North Texas’ growth and economic development.

Dr. Harper served 20 years active duty in the US Air Force as both an enlisted man and as an officer during the
Cold War and Vietnam War era. He was a combat crewmember and Russian linguist on an RC-135
reconnaissance aircraft. He has a service-connected disability and also received numerous military awards
and decorations for valor and achievement. He recently was recognized as a 50-year “Pioneer” in Air Force
Intelligence collection.

Dr. Harper also retired from the Texas A&M University System after 26 years in higher education as a vice
president for business affairs and tenured full professor, teaching MBA candidates and doctoral students.

Dr. Harper is a consultant to The Cooper Institute, a Dallas-based international medical research and
education group, serving as the Chief Financial Officer and Board Advisor for Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, founder
of “Aerobics”.

He is a graduate cum laude from Syracuse University, has a masters from the University of Alabama, and a
doctorate from the University of Houston. He is a retired CPA and also a retired Certified Management
Accountant (CMA).

He and his wife, Debra, have three grown children, nine grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Debra
is a District Director (SD2) for the Texas Federation of Republican Women. They both enjoy their home and
boating on Lake Ray Hubbard, golfing, international travel, and NASCAR races.