Best of Hutto Spotlight: Mike Fowler – Voted Best of Hutto Citizen

Every thriving community has its unsung heroes, the people who show up, give back, lift others, and lead with heart. This year, the community has spoken loud and clear, and we’re proud to shine the spotlight on someone who embodies everything Hutto stands for: Mike Fowler, your 2024 Best of Hutto Citizen.

Whether he’s volunteering behind the scenes, championing local causes, or just being the neighbor everyone wishes they had, Mike represents the very best of Hutto’s small-town spirit and big-hearted energy.

In this spotlight, we’re celebrating Mike’s contributions, the impact he’s made, and why so many residents felt he deserved this well-earned recognition. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and meet the man who helps make Hutto feel like home. 🧡

Tell us a little about yourself, family, businesses you've owned, etc.

Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker, Consultant, and Community Advocate

Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker (#337570) and owner of TEX US Real Estate and Investments, I’ve proudly served the Hutto and Central Texas region for over four decades. My firm specializes in real estate transactions, consulting services, and investment opportunities, with a focus on Hutto, Williamson County, and surrounding areas.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked extensively with property owners, developers, and buyers to address regional development issues and help shape the growth of Central Texas. My work includes the sale of multi-million-dollar properties, particularly in land transactions for subdivisions, commercial projects, and economic development initiatives. I’ve also contributed to green building efforts and historical preservation, advising individuals and businesses on sustainable and culturally significant projects.

Beyond real estate, I’ve held roles as an independent consultant and writer. From 2006 to 2009, I worked with Texas Disposal Systems, and I authored the legislatively mandated Strategic Plan for the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

As the former President of Mel Fowler Sculpture, Inc. (Liberty Hill, TX), I managed all aspects of the business, including inventory, tax filings, corporate reorganization, and marketing of my father’s artistic legacy from 1987–1993. I also served as executor and administrator of my mother Anna Vee Fowler’s estate (2010–2016).

In addition to my professional work, I’ve directed numerous construction and permitting projects as a general contractor, including my office building (1985), home additions and structures (1994–2024), and improvements to adjacent properties. I’ve been proud to preserve several historical structures and acquire parkland and properties for the benefit of the local community.

Since 2009, I’ve also served as a Member Director on the Travis County–Creedmoor Municipal Utility District, continuing my long-standing commitment to public service and responsible growth.

How did your journey as a business owner begin? What inspired you to get started?

When Donna and I moved to Hutto in 1978 right after we got married, we had just purchased our first home together on West Live Oak Street in Hutto Old Town (HOT). The home was previously owned by my great-aunt, great-grandparents, Hutto Lutheran Church as their first parsonage, and the Hutto family going back to 1876.  

I was working for the Texas House of Representatives and Donna was in Pharmacy School at the University of Texas. We had little money at the time and our home was considered to be a tear-down by many of the old-time locals of Hutto. Our desire was to fix it up and preserve its history, which we accomplished together over 46 years. This also prompted me to enter the real estate profession as a part-time endeavor in 1982 to help provide additional income for our family and to help landowners achieve maximum money for the property sales.

Why did you choose Hutto as your home base?

I have long loved Hutto! It was the opportunity, affordability to live here, be close to my then job(s) in Austin and Pharmacy School for Donna. Our passion to make our home and new to us community a better place. Attached below is what I have done or helped do to make Hutto a better community and place to live, work and play.

Things that I have done for the betterment of our Hutto community!

• In 1978, my wife, Donna, and I moved to Hutto with the mindset of living here, fixing up an old Victorian home at 108 West Live Oak Street that we purchased and that many locals considered to be a teardown. We have both worked towards continually improving our community and home for over the past 46 years.

• 1965-1970: I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts in Government with course work emphasis on public administration, Texas government, and international relations from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, later utilizing my knowledge and experience for the good of Hutto.

• Beginning in 1979, while Ed Schmidt was Mayor, as a City Councilman I wrote the initial protective ordinances enacted by the City of Hutto including Subdivision Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, Building Code Ordinance, Parkland Dedication Ordinance, Clean Lot Ordinance, and expansion of our extra territorial jurisdiction through voluntary inclusion.

• 1984-Present: I became a Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker and owner of TEX US Real Estate and Investments; providing real estate, consulting services and investment opportunities primarily in Hutto, Williamson and surrounding Texas counties. Working extensively with property owners and buyers to address development issues in Hutto and Central Texas. Have helped to sell many multi-million-dollar properties in Texas and developed Hutto for more than four decades through contracts and location of private, public, and commercial properties specializing in the sale of land for subdivisions and commercial projects.

I have sold land mostly for the farmers/owners (the owner has one opportunity to sell and achieve the best price possible for their property and I assist in making that occur). These properties have become or will be subdivisions, commercial, or institutional improvements within the City of Hutto as follows:

• Brooklands (for Farley family to Jim Sackrider, eventually went to developers).

• Brushy Creek Meadows. (for Ms. Davenport).

• Country Estates (for Dahl family).

• Creekside Estates (for Simmons family).

• Glenwood (for Blackman family).

• Mager Meadows (for Mager family).

• Farley family farm (for Farley family).

• Gola family farm (for Gola Family).

• Bigon family farm (for Bigon family).

• Lidell family farm (for Lidell family).

• Walker family farm (for Walker-Davis family).

• Commercial properties – Dale Alley. Bob Castle, Anthony Dobias, Harold Eubanks, Home Depot, Dan Heil & Chien Lee, Don Quick, Rabb family, Jim Smith, City of Hutto, Hutto I.S.D., Hutto Fire Rescue District, Hutto Chamber of Commerce, Hutto Lutheran Church, and helped many other non-profits and commercial businesses.

Provided the local names and worked with a developer Terry Boyd, and city planner Joan Hardy, in naming of streets for long-time Hutto families in the Legends of Hutto and Hutto Square, did not sell properties.  Also worked closely with city planner Joan Hardy, on naming of streets in Hutto Parke, did not sell land.

I had the vision as Mayor to purchase the Hutto Co-op properties for the City of Hutto at a cost of $2,050,000 including commission paid to Don Quick & Associates for future use as a City Hall anchor and destination commercial-heritage development.

Had the vision as Mayor to purchase property and build a temporary City Hall for the City of Hutto on Front Street that now serves as the Police Department and Animal Control offices.

Had the vision to facilitate the relocation of the United States Postal Office from East Street twice to better serve the people of Hutto, first to US 79 and then to its present location on Exchange Boulevard.

Had the vision to convince Williamson County to purchase and build their first County office facility in the City of Hutto, first on Exchange Boulevard and then moved to Ed Schmidt Boulevard.

• I achieved my Texas Real Estate Brokers License taking six core courses from Austin Community College in Finance, Appraisals, Principles of Real Estate, Leasing, Real Estate Law, and Property Management: I have also attended many real estate conferences and seminars as well as completing Mandatory Continuing Education real estate courses every two years. In 2010 and 2012 completed several Home Builders Association of Greater Austin “Green Boot” programs, a twelve-segment green building course with six additional field trips and also their advanced green building program. Did a green building blog on new and better building products and practices for about five years to people primarily in Central Texas. I continue to try to improve Hutto through my real estate skill sets and learn every day.

• General Contractor directing all phases of construction and permitting of our 1876 Victorian home addition at 108 West Live Oak Street in 1994, building my home office/garage in 2007, renovating and building my historic office building at 106 East Street in 1985, and building greenhouses in 2009 and 2021, and renovating adjacent properties from 2017 to 2024. I have saved numerous local historical structures from demolition and have also advised people on many other local homes and associated business projects. I have also helped to preserve, renovate, restore, or otherwise improve and protect numerous local structures, businesses and homes in Old Town Hutto including at 102  FM 1660 South, 131 East Front Street, 401 West Front Street, 409 West Front Street, 131 West Austin Avenue, 215 Brushy Street, 102 US 79, 108 US 79, 408 US 79, 101 Anthony Street, 201 Taylor Street, 206 Taylor Street, 303 Taylor Street, 201 Main Street, 105 East Street, 106 East Street, 122 East Street, 209 East Street, 404 East Street, 502 East Street, 201 East Pecan Street, 202 East Pecan Street, 108 West Pecan Street, 305 East Live Oak Street, 106 West Live Oak Street, 108 West Live Oak Street, 401 FM 1660 North, 603 FM 1660 North, 103 West Metcalfe Street, 104 West Metcalfe Street, 105 West Metcalfe Street, 405 West Metcalfe Street, 402 Church Street, 404 Church Street, 502 Church Street, and 207 Liberty Street.

• Wrote the initial Parkland Dedication Ordinance for the City of Hutto. Helped to acquire various parklands and other properties starting with Fritz Park with the land being acquired through my efforts and vision at no cost to the city, Lake Hutto Park the land being acquired through my efforts and vision at no cost to the city, and assisted with acquisition of Adam Orgain Park by suggesting to both of the two immediate previous property owners, Hildegard Johns and Lisa Pollard, that this land would be best utilized as premiere parkland for the City of Hutto and also assisted with the acquisition of other large properties critical to the benefit of our community. After a first attempt to sell the property as a park to the City of Hutto for one million dollars, to which the City agreed to that price and then reneged. On a second effort several years later, Assistant City Manager Helen Rameriz renegotiated and purchased Adam Orgain Park from Lisa Pollard for 1.6 million dollars.

• 2000-2003: Legislative Affairs Office, Texas Department of Transportation. As Staff Services Officer IV, I was charged with office administration in the Legislative Affairs Office. Worked with TXDOT Commissioners, executive administration, federal and state legislative personnel on transportation issues and special projects. Strongly promoted the re-routing of SH130 to west Hutto from the original route going through east Round Rock creating massive opportunities for better mobility and our local economy. Using SH130, you can drive from Hutto to Austin Bergstrom International Airport in thirty minutes.

• 1988 authored an award-winning book The Capitol Story: Statehouse in Texas; 1992 authored a book, Hutto Lutheran Church 1892-1992: A Century of Community Faith; 2009 authored a book, Images of America: Hutto; 2015 authored a biography about my mother, Vee Fowler: An Amazing Woman. Have sent out history of Hutto information on a regular basis for over thirty years. I am currently working on numerous other history-based books, art projects and publications.

More Community Commitment

• Strongly committed to family, church, and community. Activities include strong appreciation of the arts, green building innovations, and home & garden projects.

• Hippo Mayor of Hutto from 2003 to present. I personally started the concrete hippo statues of Hutto. Pro-growth advocate for Hutto since 1978. “Hutto Citizen of the Year” in 2006-2007.

• Appointed unanimously by City Council as Mayor of the City of Hutto in January of 2001. Elected Mayor of the City of Hutto in May 2001 and again in May 2002 and retired undefeated from all of my city elections in May 2004 after serving for twenty-five years. Completed twelve full terms and a partial term as City Councilman, Mayor Pro-Tem, and Mayor for the City of Hutto from 1979 to 2004. Assisted in getting over $3,000,000 in State and Federal grants while Mayor.

• Parks Advisory Board Member from 1994-2002 providing over one million dollars in fundraising and grant leadership including $200,000 Lower Colorado River Authority and $500,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grants in 2000. American Hometown Leadership 2000 Award recipient as “Outstanding Community Leader” by the National Center for Small Communities and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (donated the $5,000 Wal-Mart Economic Development Grant to the City of Hutto).

• In 2003, we achieved long-term water supply for Hutto and its first million-gallon water storage facility and purchased both Hutto CO-OP properties for the City of Hutto. Also got numerous properties donated to the City of Hutto; including Fritz Park, Hutto Lake and the land for the Hutto Emergency Services District fire rescue facility #1 on Exchange Boulevard as well as relocating the United States Post Office and relocating the Williamson County Commissioners Office for Precinct Four to Hutto. Initial startup money of $250,000 for the Hutto Library from sale of old City Hall.

• First, 2004, and past chair of the City of Hutto Historical Preservation Commission and served on the Williamson County Historical Commission from 2018-2020. I have utilized my Real Estate Broker capacity continually for the good of the Hutto community. Strong hippo advocate and original chair of the Hutto Heritage Foundation. I have extensive public speaking, public relations, and branding experience that I have long utilized for the benefit of Hutto.

• Achieved extended metro telephone service along with Earl Klattenhoff for the Hutto community to connect with Austin years before Georgetown and Taylor were able to do the same.

• Worked successfully on various bond issues, grants, passage of zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, clean lot ordinance, landscape ordinance, building codes, budgets, master and vision planning, water and wastewater planning, City of Hutto employee personnel issues including health insurance, Texas Municipal Retirement System retirement program and policy development.

• Helped to initially establish Hutto’s E.T.J. and C.C.N. as well as many other efforts to establish a quality way of life in our community.

• Life-long Member of Hutto Lutheran Church (Church Council 1979-1981). I have helped her to Lutheran Church continually through my time here. One of the things that I did was to get personal donation of an extra acre of land and additional substantial cash for the benefit of the Hutto Lutheran Cemetery. I wrote and published a book entitled, Hutto Lutheran Church 1892 to 1992: A Century of Community Faith with all proceeds going towards the church. Other levels assistance were to help acquire the Seine property to the immediate east of the church and to see that the 502 Church Street property to the north of the church was purchased on behalf of the congregation and then prevent it from being sold.

• Founder and Charter Member and 1988 President of the Hutto Chamber of Commerce; 1989 Chairman of Membership for the Hutto Chamber of Commerce; 1990 Chairman of Hutto Economic Development Committee for the Chamber of Commerce; in 2022 named as the first Life-member of the Hutto Chamber of Commerce.

• 1985 Chairman, Hutto ISD Facility Growth Development Committee to build new elementary school and supportive of building a new high school in Hutto. I have been publicly supportive of all Hutto ISD improvement bonds since moving to Hutto in 1978.

• 1978-1993 Member of Hutto Lions Club, served in 1983 and 1990 as President of the Hutto Lions Club working on numerous community projects.

• Hutto Citizens Group 2004-2013 working on betterment of 345 Kv transmission lines and the Williamson County landfill.

• 1984-1986 Governor's appointee to the Capitol Area Council Regional Review Committee helping Hutto with numerous grant projects; 1988-1992 CAPCO General Assemblyman. Always worked towards providing benefits to Hutto.

• 2015 helped the City of Hutto become a certified “Film Friendly” community. I have supported the arts in Hutto at every opportunity through film, writing, murals, the performing arts, personal art, and other creative methodologies.

• 2018 started nine free book exchanges in Hutto until 2021 distributing over a thousand books. All but two, Hutto Lutheran Church and Bien Hoa Restaurant, were shut down during Covid.

• Attended, presented a segment of, and completed the “Lead Hutto” 2024 program through the Hutto Chamber of Commerce.

• In 2025 I was voted as “Best Hutto Citizen” via iHutto by the people of Hutto.

"Like it or not, I have substantially and absolutely helped Hutto grow into the great community it is today, will continue to do so, and I love it!" Mike

What’s been one of your most memorable moments in Hutto?

Way too many great memories - related to family, friends, our church, and our community! It’s A Wonderful Life!  Choosing one memory is this - having the joy of almost fifty years of being with a truly spectacular woman, Donna Fowler (us pictured above).

What do you think makes the Hutto community special?

Our community, our schools, our history and heritage, Old Town, Hutto’s growth and change, and of course our Hippos!

What advice would you give to someone just starting a business here?

Have passion, principles, and purpose for what you do and stick with it.

When you're not out and about contributing to Hutto, where can we find you around town? (Favorite coffee, food, or hangout spots?)

Home and our garden, Baked N’ Sconed, Rio Grande, the Texan Café, the Hippo Café, Jack Allen’s, Chuy’s, the Hutto Chamber of Commerce, Lamppost Coffee, City Hall, the soon be Cottonwood Creek Brewery and Smokehouse, just to name just a few. I have always made strong efforts to go to all of our businesses and support our local economy.

Anything exciting coming up you'd like the community to know about?

Yes, the City of Hutto mayor and city council elections are on May 3, 2025, with early voting beginning April 22nd in Hutto City Hall, 500 West Live Oak Street. PLEASE VOTE FOR: Henry Gideon (Mayor), Cory Denena (Place #3 ), and incumbent Amberly Kolar (Place #6 ) !!!

In my opinion these are by far the best candidates and will allow Hutto a better future! THANK YOU!!!

Many thanks for this opportunity and I was very touched and honored to be voted as “Best Hutto Citizen” for 2025 via iHutto by the people of Hutto and those wonderful people who surprised me at Henrietta the Hippo on East Street recently.