Mayor Tim Barker

Tim Barker was born in Ganado, Texas and moved to Wharton in 1962. He graduated from Wharton High School in 1971 and then attended Wharton County Junior College before going to work for Barnhill Flying Service.  In 1980, Mayor Barker became a partner with James G. Martin Brokerage Co. in operating Burr Farm Supply and Wharton Feed & Supply.  In 1993, he purchased Wharton Feed & Supply from James Martin, which he operated until his retirement.  

He is married to Pam Frankum Barker and they have three children: Jason Barker, Jill Barker-Young, and Jarett Barker.  Mayor Barker is an active Wharton Rotary Club Member, Wharton 100 Club board member and works with the Freedom Fest Committee.

In his leisure time he enjoys being with friends, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, driving his sports car and attending car shows.

Councilmember Burnell Neal, District No. 1

Bio Coming Soon!

Councilmember Steven Schneider, District No. 2

Steven Schneider graduated from El Campo High School in 1979.  He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is a residential real estate appraiser and has been employed with Catechis, Campbell and Associates since 1985.  He has been a resident of Wharton since 1989 and is married to Vicki Dorotik Schneider of El Campo.  They have one daughter, Katelynn.  Schneider was secretary/treasurer of the El Campo Rifle and Pistol Club and is a current board member for the Wharton Girls Softball League.  He is an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Councilmember Terry Freese, District No. 3

Terry Freese is a lifelong resident of the City of Wharton and attended Wharton High School.   He graduated from high school in 1976 and went on to study kinesiology at Wharton County Junior College and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where he received his bachelor’s degree, and the University of Texas at Tyler, where he graduated with his master’s degree. Freese is the head golf coach and assistant football coach at Wharton High School and Alternative School teacher at Wharton Junior High, where he has been teaching for 24 years. He is married to Lisa Freese who teaches at Sivells Elementary School, and has two sons, Zachary Freese and Joel Freese. In his spare time he volunteers with the local little league and softball organization.

Councilmember David Voulgaris, District No. 4

David Voulgaris is a lifelong resident of the City of Wharton and attended Wharton High School.  After graduating from high school in 1976 he attended Wharton County Junior College and Texas State Technical Institute graduating with an AAS in Automotive Technology.  Voulgaris had a successful auto repair business in Wharton for 40 years before returning to Wharton County Junior College to teach Automotive Technology to the present time.  He is married to wife Linda who is a licensed Optician for 40 plus years and owner of Lifestyle Vision.  Together they have five children.  Voulgaris has been serving the community in varies board positions and is a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.  

Councilmember Russell Machann, Position No. 5 At-Large - Mayor Pro-Tem

Born in San Angelo, Texas, Russell grew up in Katy, Texas, and graduated from high school in 1981. He later attended Angelo State University and Sam Houston State University.  He has been a resident of Wharton, Texas since 1990. He is married to Tonya and has three daughters, Kacy, Andrea and Robin. Russell is the owner of Machann Consulting Inc. and MCI Specialty Products.

In addition to serving on City Council, he is actively serving on the City Council Finance, Housing, Public Heath, and Park and Recreation Committees, Wharton Economic Development Corporation Board, and Wharton County 100 Club, Board of Directors. He has been involved with the Wharton County Youth Fair since 1994, serving as a Past President, member of the Executive Board and Chairman of the BBQ Cook-off for 20 years. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and has been a Lifetime Committee Member volunteering on the Area Go Texan, Auctions Assistance, Membership, and Directions & Assistance committees since 1986. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Wharton. 

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, riding motorcycles, fishing, hunting and golf.

Councilmember Larry Pittman- Position No. 6 At-Large

Larry Pittman lived in Wharton as a child and grew up attending elementary school in Wharton.  He later attended HCC and the University of Houston and graduated with a degree in Police Science. He began a very successful and diversified career in law enforcement. He twice received the Officer of the Year Award - once from the 100 Club of Houston and once from the police department. 

During his career in law enforcement, he gained extensive knowledge of working with local government budgets, policies and policy writing, personnel matters, and other local government management issues. He retired from law enforcement and relocated back to Wharton.

He takes the knowledge and experience from working 33 years in local government and utilizes it by representing the citizens of Wharton on the City Council in Wharton.

City of Wharton Districts Map