Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Hendrickson.
Lisa, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, now lives in Texas, with her husband Jon and two children, Julianna and Joshua. Lisa has a diverse background in education, communication, and political science. During her undergrad years, she began volunteering on local campaigns in Montana, which parlayed into running a successful statewide campaign.
After the birth of their son, Lisa began to teach government and civics in secondary grades while living in New Mexico, Oregon, and California. She completed her Master of Education and returned to Texas in 2006, at which point she was led into the realm of marketing and public relations. Lisa spent seven years in television and product marketing before stepping out on her own in 2013. She volunteers for various political campaigns and causes and is heavily involved in fundraising and event management for several campaigns and nonprofits.
In addition, she was elected chairman of the Denton County Republican Party in early 2016. Lisa sits on two boards and is an active member of both Christian and political organizations in Texas.
Lisa, we’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Sounds almost cliché but I have been drawn to politics since I was a child. At the age of 9, I began writing my Congressman, Senators and the President. Really wish I would have saved those letters just for grins. My story started when I came home and shared a story with my mom that had occurred at school during that specific day. I was truly upset and bothered at the dinner table and when she asked why I was so quiet I began to share what had occurred. At the end of my story she simply replied, “well what are you going to do about it?” That question caused me to begin to continually ask myself when things occurred that I thought was not just – What am I going to do about it?
It is question that I would say haunts me in every area of my life. So much so, that when I found out that America was harvesting our own children for sex-trafficking I became the Education Director for Traffik911 and began to connect with officials all over the state and country which in turn lead to the adoption of our daughter at age 15 from Ukraine. Sounds like a big leap but in Ukraine when children turn 16 they are shown the door in orphanages and they become targets for horrendous acts of injustice.
At the age of 47, I have been an educator, in marketing and public relations while always remaining active in politics mainly because the government has so much control over our daily lives that to not be engaged seemed negligent. Nevertheless, while I had worked for local, state and national campaigns I swore that I would never run for office, FAMOUS LAST WORDS… in late 2015 I was promoted to consider a run for Chairman of the Denton County Republican Party. After much prayer and counsel, I through my hat in the ring and months later read my name on the same ballot that I used to vote for President of the United States of America; somewhat surreal.
Over the past year plus in office there have been many hills and valleys but overall, I would say that I enjoy the opportunity to serve the conservative voters of Denton County and daily seek to better equip the Republican Party to expand the reach within Denton County. The doors of opportunity as Chairman have been immense and I look forward to what my future holds and how I can make a difference for the future of my children and grandchildren.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh goodness I would say the road I am traveling consists of pot holes, curves, hills and trucks that throw rocks but the people I have met along the way, the relationships that have come from this journey are so worth the experience. Life is meant to be lived and taking the road less traveled is always unpredictable but so worth every obstacle and challenge.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck – I believe in faith, passion and prayer. In the regard, each one gives me the strength to pursue the future with hope and optimism.
Contact Info:
- Website: dentongop.org
- Phone: 940-383-4446
- Email: chair@dentongop.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaforGOPChair/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaforGOPChair
Image Credit:
Peter Horn, Ahh! Photography – http://ahh-photography.com
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