Pat Stroka

Term Expires December 2020

A West Texas native, Patrick Stroka grew up in Odessa, but realized he’d found a new home when he visited friends at Texas State University in San Marcos and saw the Guadalupe River flowing through the lush, green campus.

“I remember I told my mom, ‘I don’t think I’m going back to Odessa,’” he said.

An avid paddler, Stroka has participated in the Texas Water Safari, completing the annual 260-mile canoe race that begins at the headwaters of the San Marcos River more than a half-dozen times. His love of paddling inspired his interest in water-related issues.

“Once you’re around the water that much, you start really paying attention to what’s going on around you and where the needs are,” Stroka said.

As a member of the San Marcos River Rangers, a volunteer group, he has been involved with water quality monitoring since 1997. He is also a member of the San Marcos River Foundation, Sierra Club and Ocean Conservancy.

Stroka was first elected to the EAA board in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and 2016. During his tenure, he has been a strong proponent of the Well Protection Program, advocating for funding to cap abandoned wells to prevent contamination of the Edwards Aquifer.

Stroka has a Bachelor of Science from Texas State University and has been employed with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Disability Determination Service since 1997. He and his wife share a home located near the confluence of the San Marcos and Blanco rivers.