Melanie Gander
President, Elected
Melanie Gander has been a resident of the Spring community since 2006, currently residing in the Auburn Lakes Subdivision. Shortly after graduating High School in California, she moved to Texas with her parents. She received her bachelors of science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She then received her Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of St. Francis. She has been a registered nurse with Memorial Hermann Health System for almost 20 years. She served in multiple different roles over those years and currently is the Director of Operations for the systems Trauma Service Line. Prior to her current role she served as the Director of Emergency and Critical Care Services at Memorial Hermann the Woodlands. During her time at Memorial Hermann the Woodlands she was voted as one of the Top 20 nurses in district 9 of the Texas Nurses Association. She received this honor for her work in lobbying for better care and resources for the mentally ill and victims of sexual assault. Melanie remains dedicated to ensuring that her community has the needed resources to provide the best possible care to the residents of Spring.
Melanie is married to Jason Gander, who is a Houston Firefighter/Paramedic. They have two children. When not on the sidelines at their sons’ soccer games they can be found on the golf course at Augusta Pines with both of their children.
Contact Information
E-mail: Melanie.Gander@hcesd7.org
Address: 656 East Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77373
Phone: 281.350.3210
Keith Willingham
Secretary, Elected
Keith Willingham has been a resident of Spring since 1975. While attending Spring High, he volunteered in the Spring Fire Department before departing for Texas A&M University. After graduating, Keith worked as a project manager for a wastewater manufacturing and is currently an owner of an insurance agency in Spring since 1993 which writes personal commercial, life, and health insurance. Keith has also served as President and Financial Officer for the Old Town Spring Improvement District. Keith and his wife, Jackie, have one child, Kaitlyn. Keith takes pride in serving his community and pledges his commitment to continue the success of Harris County ESD No. 7 and the financial responsibility to the taxpayers of the district.
Contact Information
E-mail: Keith.Willingham@hcesd7.org
Address: 656 East Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77373
Phone: 281.350.3210
David Mills
Treasurer, Elected
A resident of Spring since 2007, David Mills has owned and operated a local construction business since 2010. After completing his bachelor’s degree in construction science, David worked in large commercial construction before finding his passion as a residential homebuilder and remodeler. He thrives on building relationships with his customers and community through church volunteer work, coaching youth sports, and the Kailee Mills Foundation that David and his wife, Wendy, founded after the death of their daughter, Kailee, in a 2017 car accident. The Kailee Mills Foundation has grown into a national effort to educate the public on the importance of seat belts. The non-profit also assists families dealing with the tragedy of losing a loved one in a fatal crash by providing grief counseling, scholarships, school programs, financial assistance, as well as support for first responders.
In 2017, David was appointed to the Encanto Real Utility District board and was re-elected in 2020. He has worked to reduce the tax rate while making continuous improvements. His passion for safety led him to get involved in Harris County ESD No. 7 where he is committed to continuing to improve emergency response for his community.
Contact Information
E-mail: David.Mills@hcesd7.org
Address: 656 East Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77373
Phone: 281.350.3210
Bob Schmanski
Assistant Treasurer, Elected
Bob Schmanski is currently a Senior Loss Control Consultant for an insurance company which places insurance on manufacturing, real estate, healthcare, public entity, communications, habitational and general industrial properties. After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1983 with a Bachelors in Fire Protection and Safety Bob moved to Texas and has spend most of his professional career in the Insurance Industry as a Risk Engineer and Underwriter. Bob holds a Certified Fire Protection Specialist designation from the National Fire Protection Association. Bob has been involved as a volunteer in the fire service in multiple capacities since 1980 and has been a volunteer with Ponderosa Fire Department since 1986. In addition to his volunteering in the fire department, Bob is the Chartering Organization Representative for the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Association for Boy Scout Troop 62. Having earned the rank of Eagle in 1979, helping start a new Boy Scout Troop which is Chartered by a Fire Department allows Bob to stay active in Boy Scouting. Bob and his wife, Dana, have two children, Jared and Madison.
Contact Information
E-mail: Bob.Schmanski@springfd.org
Address: 656 East Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77373
Phone: 281.350.3210