Community Heartbeat Whitehouse
The people behind the pulse of our community
WHITEHOUSE, Texas — For Mayor James Wansley, serving Whitehouse wasn’t part of a master plan — it was a calling that unfolded over time.
A third-generation Whitehouse resident, Wansley grew up in the community, graduating from Whitehouse High School in 1993. After college and early career opportunities in software development, he returned to East Texas with his wife to raise a family. His path to city leadership started not with ambition, but with action.
“In 2016, I was working with the school district on some tough projects and noticed the city and the chamber weren’t always aligned,” Wansley said. “There wasn’t an Economic Development Corporation at the time, and I thought that was strange.”
Motivated to help, Wansley first applied for the Parks and Recreation Commission. A voicemail from then-Mayor Charles Parker welcoming him aboard — which Wansley still saves on his phone — marked the beginning of his public service. From there, he ran for City Council, served as Mayor Pro Tem, and eventually became mayor in November 2020, winning the election unopposed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His early tenure was anything but smooth. Just three months into the role, Winter Storm Uri paralyzed East Texas with freezing temperatures, power outages, and water disruptions. Wansley quickly mobilized a volunteer network from City Hall to deliver water, shut off frozen pipes, and check on vulnerable residents.
“That wound up being an amazing community outreach experience,” he said. “The people who showed up were the most engaged. We built a support group out of necessity.”
The storm, and the community’s resilience, deepened Wansley’s love for his hometown. Over time, he grew into a leadership role he never sought but now feels deeply rooted in.
“I never put my sights on council or mayor,” he said. “I just started working, and one thing led to another.”
Today, Wansley sees his primary role as setting a vision — and empowering others to achieve it. He credits much of the city’s progress to teamwork among city staff, council members, and partners like the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce.
“We have 54 full-time employees — that’s police, fire, everybody,” Wansley said. “Each one matters. There’s no room for a weak link, and our City Manager Leslie Black has done an incredible job strengthening the team.”
Wansley’s approach to leadership was shaped by his experience with Leadership Tyler, a community leadership program he and his wife both graduated from. Those lessons in collaboration and strategic vision helped inform his work building partnerships across East Texas.
Whitehouse’s success, Wansley emphasized, is also tied to regional cooperation. He meets regularly with nearby mayors, county judges, and regional chambers, and serves on the executive board for the East Texas Council of Governments, representing Smith County municipalities.
“To be competitive, we have to act like a region,” he said. “One city alone can’t compete with Dallas or Houston.”
Looking forward, Wansley is particularly excited about the soon-to-open City Center, a project designed to give Whitehouse residents a new gathering space while honoring the city’s roots. It will feature coworking areas for students and young professionals, event spaces for community celebrations, and permanent homes for the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation.
“Our original Whitehouse was a place where people gathered, where it felt safe and calm,” he said. “We want to bring that spirit back — especially for our kids.”
Despite his growing reputation as a leader, Wansley says he has no political aspirations beyond Whitehouse.
“I’m happy right where I am,” he said. “Every step has been a little uncomfortable, but nothing’s come up that I couldn’t handle. If anything, I’m focused on making sure momentum keeps building.”
Outside City Hall, Wansley leads a life grounded in his community. He enjoys coffee downtown, Friday trips to the gun range, and mentoring young leaders through Leadership Tyler. His earlier years included unexpected ventures — from coaching young martial artists to participating in mixed martial arts tournaments himself.
“Community leadership, for me, started by helping kids who didn’t fit in traditional sports,” Wansley said. “It grew from there.”
As Whitehouse continues to evolve, Wansley remains committed to staying connected to the people who call it home.
“We’re building something together,” he said. “I’m just lucky to be a part of it.”
Joshua Larson
Joshua Larson is the VP of Marketing and Advertising. Also the owner of ETX Bloom Media Marketing Company. Additionally he is a regular contributor in ETX Bell.
