Elected 86th District Judge (Kaufman County) in November 2002.  Re-elected without opposition in November 2006.  Felony, family, and major civil case jurisdiction.  BA degree from Williams College; Law Degree SMU (top 10% of class); General Attorney U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Law Clerk to Joe E. Estes, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas; General practice of law for over 30 years.

Married to a wonderful wife, Linda (a registered nurse and Headstart Health Coordinator, Terrell ISD).  Members of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church (former senior warden of Vestry).  Member Rotary International and Lions International, Terrell Heritage Society Board, Dallas Center for the Developmentally Disabled Board President.  Howard and Linda have 4 children and 4 grandchildren