John Betancourt
Challenger for Amarillo College Board of Regents
Betancourt/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 46
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I have attended Amarillo Jr. College and Wayland Baptist University, I currently have a Certificate from AC in Federal Contract Negotiations and Procurements, a Certificate from the University of Louisiana in Federal Contracting, and I have a Pre-need & Life Agent License from the Texas Department of Insurance.
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Funeral Pre-planning Consultant and Aftercare Specialist with Funeral Directors Life working with Funeral Directors across West Texas
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.
A: Illusions Studio and Photography
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: Executive Officer and Board Member, Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee
Board Member, Amarillo Area CASA
Former State Board of Education, District 15 Candidate
Former Elected Board of Trustee, Amarillo Independent School District
Former Construction Committee, AISD Caprock & Palo Duro Tennis Facilities
Former Committee Member, AISD Profile of a Graduate
MASBA (Mexican American School Board Association) Former Board of Directors – State Region 5
Former President, PAASB (Panhandle Area Association of School Boards) – Service Region 16
Former TASB Legislative Advisory Council (LAC) for Region 16
Former Potter County Representative, TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) Board of Directors
Former Vice-Chair, East Gate TIRZ #2 (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) Board of Directors
Maverick Boys & Girls Club, Former Vice-Chair / Board Member
United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, Former Cabinet Member, LE, TL, AT
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: Twitter: @JohnForAC
Facebook: @JohnForAC
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: I decided to run for this position in 2021 to bring the knowledge that I gained from serving on the Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees to the Amarillo College Board of Regents.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: Once elected, I pledge to bring more diversity and inclusion to the current AC Board of Regents. I pledge to focus on ensuring that every decision made is based off of what better suits the students and faculty of Amarillo College. In addition, I plan to promise to look at ways in which the Board of Regents can focus on implementing degree programs and certificates that will benefit the future workforce of our great city.
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: I believe that we should always look at ways in which we do not put a financial burden on our tax payers and make certain that we manage fiscally responsibly. However, I do understand that there may be times where the Board of Regents will decide if the current tax rate, as lean as it is may be will need to be increased to support where the state and federal funds lack. Should that be the case in the future once I am elected, I am willing to be as open minded in listening to the recommendation made by the Administration and making a determination on what my constituents tell me. I would have the same process in making a decision, should the recommendation be to go out for a bond election. We must and always make decisions that impact our community responsibly.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: I believe that we sometimes overlook the Trades Programs and Certificates that AC has to offer. I plan to highlight them in my campaign as we don't always hear about them. Amarillo College is recognized nationally and that is something that we should all be proud of. I definitely want our students who not only graduate with Associates Degrees but also receive Certificates to be proud of getting their start at Amarillo College.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I am a product of AISD and AC, I owe a lot of gratitude to the education that I received at both these educational institutions and all what it has afforded me in my career. I am a former Trustee for Amarillo ISD who has experience in Board Governance and would be honored to have your support in my candidacy. I have represented our great city locally, regionally, and at the state level in which that experience would be an added skill set to the Board of Regents. I am the only Hispanic candidate where a majority of the student population at AC are Hispanic. I have the experience and I am ready to represent all the Students and Staff of AC and Amarillo. Elect me on May 1st so I can work hard for you and your family. Remember to cast all 3 votes for John!