Kountze Economic Development Corporation
Board of Directors
Meet The Board
Joe Bumstead
President
Born and raised in Kountze, TX. Graduate from Kountze High school. Attended Angelina Junior and Colorado Mountain College.
Married 36 years to Melinda Bumstead. We have raised our son Brandon here in Kountze and proud to say watching our grandson Brendon growing up here.
Operated Kountze Enterprises from 1999 - 2017 as President.
Manager of Kinsel Collision from 2017 - 2021.
Vice President of Bumstead Enterprises 2012 - present.
Partner and manager of JM Ranch. Served Liberty, Hardin and Chambers counties as Director of the Department of Agriculture 13 years.
Active member of the Kountze Chamber of Commerce.
Jimmy Bevilacqua
V-President
Jimmy Bevilacqua has worked in commercial construction since 1991, starting as a labor hand and working to become a superintendent and project manager. He is currently a project coordinator for Facilities Maintenance division of the City of Beaumont. Jimmy is a graduate of Kountze High School and has been married to Niesy Bevilacqua since 1995. Both of their boys, Dusty and Lane, also graduated from Kountze and now they have one grandchild attending Kountze Elementary and one who is a future Lion. They own a dog boarding and training facility in Kountze. They attend Freedom Fellowship and are active in community activities.
Brandi Stutts
Secretary / Treasurer
Brandi Stutts was appointed as a member of the Kountze EDC board in August of 2023. She has been employed with Hardin County since 2010; currently, she is serving her community as a Justice Court Clerk.
She and her husband, Steven, have been actively involved in the community since they were married in 1999. While Steven is a member of the Kountze Volunteer Fire Department, Brandi has stayed busy by working in many capacities within her church and organizations within the Kountze school district, along with being a member of the Kountze Chamber of Commerce since 2021 and Hardin County Republican Women since 2020. She believes in true servant hood and desires to see Kountze develop in a positive direction.
Virginia Gray
CFO
Branch Manager
Education First FCU
409-896-8760
EducationFirstFCU.org Virginia Gray has been a director of the Kountze EDC since 2021. Her daughter Aria is the joy of her life. She has been employed with Education First Federal Credit Union for 13 years. She is an active member of the Kountze Chamber of Commerce. She proudly serves the community of Kountze and is excited to help Kountze continue grow and thrive.
Education First FCU
409-896-8760
EducationFirstFCU.org Virginia Gray has been a director of the Kountze EDC since 2021. Her daughter Aria is the joy of her life. She has been employed with Education First Federal Credit Union for 13 years. She is an active member of the Kountze Chamber of Commerce. She proudly serves the community of Kountze and is excited to help Kountze continue grow and thrive.
Kit Cowart
Director
James"Kit" Cowart
Born in Beaumont ,Tx. and a resident of Kountze for over 25 years. Kit attended Lumberton High School and Lamar University. Starting as a welder helper and pipe fitter apprentice Kit advanced in his field with hard work and dedication. With several project management classes, this led to overseeing pipeline and civil construction projects throughout the US. Noe employed by Equipment-Share as a project manager, Kit oversees construction projects in Texas and Louisiana. Married to Julie Cowart who is employed by the City of Kountze they enjoy working at their home and spending time with family and friends. Always have a passion for horses, Kit also enjoys roping ,raising cattle and living the cowboy lifestyle. A longtime NRA member and serving with the YMBL and now the Kountze EDC, Kit has always had a desired bring growth and prosperity to his hometown with keeping a small-town feel.