Rep. Paul, Dennis

Biography

Representative Dennis Paul was born on March 29, 1961, in Houston, Texas. A lifelong Texan, Dennis grew up witnessing the value of hard work and perseverance. Tragically, at age 11, he lost his father—owner of a masonry contracting company—in a devastating tornado in 1973. Despite this adversity, his mother raised Dennis and his three brothers with determination and strength, instilling in them resilience and a strong sense of community.

Dennis graduated from South Houston High School in 1979. Determined to pursue higher education, he worked diligently for a year before enrolling at San Jacinto Junior College. He later transferred to the University of Houston, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1986, followed by a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, specializing in structural engineering, in 1991.

While attending graduate school, Dennis met his wife, Eliza Ching, and they married in 1987. Together, they have built their lives in House District 129, where they have resided for over three decades. They have one daughter, who graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 2017 and her Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas in 2019. The family actively participates in their local community and are members of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.

Dennis began his professional engineering career in 1988 at CBM Engineers, designing numerous notable multi-story structures. He joined Carter and Burgess in 1995, where he established and led the structural engineering division at the Houston office. In January 2002, he founded his own successful engineering firm, Paul Engineering Inc., located in Webster, Texas. The firm has contributed significantly to the region, designing many recognizable structures.

In 2014, Dennis Paul was elected to represent Texas House District 129, encompassing a significant portion of southeast Harris County. Now serving in his sixth legislative session, Representative Paul holds several key leadership roles. He is Vice-Chair of the Permanent Standing Sub-Committee on Transportation Funding and an active member of both the House Transportation and House Insurance Committees. Additionally, he serves as Treasurer of the House Republican Caucus. As the sole Professional Engineer in the Texas Legislature, Dennis offers a valuable and informed perspective on infrastructure, transportation, and development issues.

Representative Paul has notably championed the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Protection Barrier throughout his tenure. His legislative efforts culminated in the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District in 2021, facilitating collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build and manage critical infrastructure aimed at protecting coastal communities from catastrophic storms.

Recognizing the strategic importance of Texas' aerospace industry, Representative Paul has been a vocal advocate for the development of Ellington Spaceport. He founded and chairs the Texas Legislative Aerospace Caucus, actively promoting policies and initiatives designed to expand the aerospace sector, spur innovation, and foster economic growth across Texas.

Representative Paul's professional and community dedication has garnered recognition through his election to the University of Houston Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Alumni Academy and his receipt of the Cullen College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. His ongoing commitment to public service, infrastructure innovation, and community resilience continues to positively impact Texas.