Posted by Harris W. Brooks on Aug 14, 2017
Harris and Vicki Brooks during their travels, 2017.
Rotarian Name: Harris Wyckoff Brooks
 
Sports: Jack of All… Master on none. 
 
Food: I could be classified as a foodie.  Growing up in Louisiana… I was a “foodie” before that was a term.  I grew up sitting around the breakfast table talking about what we were going to cook for lunch and dinner!  I come from a long line of phenomenal cooks.  Probably the French influence in Louisiana.  There are very few things I won’t try… then again, I haven’t been to China or eaten insects either!
 
Education:  I grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana and am a 3rd generation alumni of Bolton High School.  I also attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration.  After college, I moved to Houston, TX and started graduate school at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  I earned my Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees (MHA/MBA) and moved to Mineral Wells to do my Administrative Residency for my final year.  (still here 18-years later!)
 
Media (Books/TV/Podcasts/Movies, etc): Yes!  I have always preferred to watch movies over reading books and when I rarely read a book before I see the movie… the movie is always a letdown!  After reading 20+ journals a week at work it is hard for me to read paper for leisure!
However, over the last 18-years I have had the opportunity to explore the roads of Texas in my work travels and have grown to love “books on tape” as they were referred to back in the day.  Now we have Audible and Podcasts.  I drive a lot.  I “read” or listen to a lot of books!  I especially like the 1.5 or 2x speed!  It keeps my attention when it is fast paced. 
 
Family: My mother and grandmother (100 years old this month) still live in Alexandria.  My father passed away 10 years ago.  I met my wife, Vicki, in Mineral Wells and we got married in 2004.  We have two daughters and two granddaughters. 
 
In learning some history of my family roots… From my mother’s side I can trace the Dutch side of my family back to 1637 as early settlers in the New Netherland’s (Brooklyn, NY).  Today, the Wyckoff House is the oldest building in the state of New York.
 
From my father’s side, Brooks traces back to the early 1600’s in Devonshire, England via Tennessee and were the early settlers of Madison County, TX around the 1840’s. 
 
Travel: I have been a fan of history my entire life and Vicki and I enjoy traveling.  I have been to most states in the US and 4 continents so far. 
 
Hobbies: I enjoy the outdoors, but have grown less fond of the heat and humidity!  In Texas we have a very favorable hunting season.  From Labor Day to MKL Day I spend most weekends in the woods hunting, fishing and general outdoor activities. 
 
Profession: I am the Chief Executive Officer of Palo Pinto General Hospital.  I enjoy serving the community and the uniqueness and complexity or running an acute care hospital. 
 
Motto: “Work Hard… Play Hard!”

Favorite Quote from my father: “The choices you make dictate the life you live!”
 
Other Volunteer Interests besides Rotary:  I believe in being a “communitarian”.  I think if you have the ability, you should give back.  I have served on many Boards within the community of Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County. I have also developed several strong relationships with cohorts across the state by having the opportunity to serve on Boards at the state level. 
TORCH:  Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals
THA:  Texas Hospital Association