Frank Austin, a real Community and Lion Supporter

This is the first of a series of Blogs to highlight Lions so the members can better know their fellow Lions.   When I think of Wimberley Lions, Frank Austin is one of the first that comes to mind.  His roots in Wimberley go back as far as the early 40's.  He moved his family to Wimberley from Houston in 1978.  In Wimberley business, Frank been involved in securities, business finance, mineral exploration, home building, land development, and banking.  Frank organized the first bank in Wimberley - now, the Ozona Bank.  He started Water Technology in 1988.

Frank is a real conerstone of this Lions Club.  He has been a Lion since 1991.  He has been Program Chairman; Donation committee member for 15 years where he has investigated many organizations; Long Range Planning Committee for 6 years; and Director on the Lion Board.  He has taken on special assignments:  Before Wimberley was incorporated, there was no entity to distribute information to the community.  The Lion Board saw a need to disseminate this information so it funded and the Wimberley Senior Citizen Activity Incorporated facilitated the Wimberley Valley Alliance.  Frank Chaired that organization for the Lions Club during its existence.  He was aided by the Late Lion Bob Guinn and this author.   This organization served as a center for dessiminating information community wide.  After the city was incorporated, Frank shut the organization down because it conflicted with city government.

Other sticky jobs were handed to Frank to solve:  About 4 years ago, there were some complaints about our catering service.  Frank chaired the committee that resulted in our current catering service.   He was tasked to respond to the Lion District's strong request that our club divide into two clubs.  He also set up a program to provide ranch tours for inbound foreign exchange students.  

At market Day he is currently Lion Hauling Manager.  He has also been a Concession Manager, Concession Worker, and Parking Lot Attendant.

The Wimberley Lions Club is only a part of Frank's community effort.  He chaired the Wimberley Players Theater Building Committee.

When someone is considering putting their toe into the Wimberley political water, they usually point that toe first to Frank Austin's door.  He should know what is going on in Wimberley and Hays County.  For five years he has been a member of Hays County Infrastructure Committee and Chairs the Water/Waste Water Subcommittee.   He is the Wimberley rep to the Blue Ribbon Transportation Committee and Director of the Hill Country Round Table for five years.  He is a Past Director of the Trinity Aquifer water Planning Group, past WISD School Bond Committee Member, past Chair of the WISD Long Range Strategic Planning Committee, Hays County Economic Development Committee, Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair Wimberley Transportation Board, and Past Chair Wimberley Comprehensive Plan Review Committee.

Frank's wife Nancie is the former owner and organizer of Wimberley Lodging and La Cima Tours and Travel for 25 years.  Their children - Allison and Trey both live in Wimberley.