Fort Bend County Treasurer Bill Rickert, a Republican, is seeking a third term Nov. 3 against Democrat Jeffrey L. Boney. Rickert has held the office since January 2019. The race is on the ballot for all Fort Bend County voters, including residents of Fulshear and the Fort Bend County portion of Katy.
In a questionnaire response to Surround Sound News, Rickert said he is seeking reelection to continue protecting the county's public funds and building on improvements made during his tenure. He cited safeguarding county funds, maintaining dependable payments, strengthening fraud prevention and making financial information easier to understand as his top priorities.
"There is no partisan way to safeguard tax dollars; there is only the right way," Rickert said in his questionnaire response.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Fort Bend County Treasurer
- Party: Republican
- Residence: Sugar Land since 1992
- Education: Studied computer information systems at Loyola University New Orleans; MBA certificate, Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business, 2003
- Family: Married to Lisa Rickert, a former Fort Bend ISD trustee and board president. Two adult daughters raised in Sugar Land.
Experience and public service
Rickert was first elected treasurer in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He also chairs the Fort Bend County Bail Bond Board, according to his questionnaire response.
Before taking office, he spent more than 30 years in the oil and gas exploration and technology industries. At Petroleum Geo-Services, he served as regional president for imaging and engineering in North and South America, leading a business generating about $90 million annually, according to his questionnaire response. He also served as vice president of imaging compute services, overseeing computing infrastructure supporting PGS's $200 million global seismic imaging business, he said.
He later served as chief technology officer and co-owner of FSG Information Systems LP, a firm providing outsourced financial management services, he said.
His previous public service includes serving on the board of Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 206 and as a Fort Bend Republican Party precinct chair. He also served on tax and transportation advisory teams for Texas House District 26.
On the issues
Office modernization: Rickert said his office has adopted electronic records, added stronger payment safeguards and improved financial reporting since he took office. He said preparing for remote operations before COVID-19 helped maintain essential services during the disruption.
Fiscal management: Rickert said his office reduced jury-payment program costs by switching to a lower-cost provider while handling a growing number of juror payments. He said improved cash-flow coordination and liquidity planning have strengthened his office's ability to meet county obligations when due.
Continuing education: Rickert said he has completed more than 380 hours of continuing education in county treasury operations, public funds investment and related financial management since taking office. His training includes Texas Public Funds Investment Act education and the Texas Association of Counties' County Investment Academy.
Qualifications: Rickert said his strongest distinction is the combination of nearly eight years as treasurer and more than 30 years of business and technology experience. He said his approach is practical and focused on service, working with officials across party lines and making decisions based on facts.
Fort Bend County voters can find more information on the treasurer's race and other contests through the Fort Bend County Elections Administration.
