Community celebrity judges to choose the best floats in the 50th Annual South County 4th of July Parade

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Whether you call it the Semiquincentennial or the Bisesquicentennial, festivities celebrating the 250th birthday of The United States of America are in full prep mode throughout The Woodlands. The 50th annual South County 4th of July Parade is no exception, with representatives picking from the top names in the area to be their panel of celebrity judges for the parade.

Woodlands Online will be livestreaming the event, so be sure to tune in to marvel at dozens of participating businesses, organizations, schools, and individuals parading their floats all over Town Center, culminating at Market Street. Out of these, the judges will choose their favorites in several different categories. The judges include:

Lieutenant General Steven Hummer – A highly decorated retired US Marine with four decades of service, today he volunteers to support veteran service organizations and mentors veterans. He currently provides chaplain services to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and to the Conservatory.

Dr. Ann K. Snyder, Chairman of the Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital Board – Throughout her tenure in The Woodlands, Dr. Snyder has touched numerous individuals – both young and old – and multiple nonprofits, always striving to make a difference and believing in the importance of collaboration. Her extensive involvement in community organizations and boards underscores her unwavering commitment to public service.

Angela Branch, Director of Human Resources, The Woodlands Township – Angela partners with the Township Board of Directors and Executive Management Team to identify and implement talent management strategies aligned with the Township's vision and goals. Prior to joining the Township staff in 2022, Angela was Executive Director at The Woodlands Methodist Church and served in multiple Human Resources management roles at Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Dan Kolkhorst, V.P of Land Development, Howard Hughes – Over his last thirty-four years with The Woodlands and now Howard Hughes, Mr. Kolkhorst has been the Civil Engineer responsible for the things most of us take for granted – water to our homes and businesses, wastewater conveyance and treatment, adequate drainage, roadways, and the tree buffers, lakes, open spaces and parks that create a community where one can live, work and play. Since his arrival in 1992, Dan has been responsible for the creation of water systems, sanitary sewer systems, drainage systems, park spaces, open spaces, transportation systems, and the coordination of the affiliated electrical, phone, gas, and cable services serving The Woodlands.

Theresa Wagaman, Residential Real Estate Specialist, Compass – Passionate about the community she calls home, Theresa is deeply engaged in local leadership and service. She serves as Vice President of Leadership & Development for The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, providing oversight for CREW and the Innovation Council. Theresa also serves on the YMCA Board of Directors, the Executive Women’s Alliance Board, The Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation, and is an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Her commitment to service, community involvement, and local expertise allows her to help clients confidently navigate every stage of their real estate journey.

Julie V. Mayrant, President and Chief Banking Officer, Woodforest National Bank – Julie shaped the branch strategy that transformed Woodforest from operating a single in-store location into a network of 706 in-store branches. She introduced the bank’s one-stop-shop customer experience, which became a cornerstone of Woodforest’s banking success. As Chief Community Banking Officer, Mayrant plays a key role in strengthening and expanding Woodforest’s market leadership position in Montgomery County.

Greg Holman, Director for Business Development United States, Repsol – Greg Holman has been working in the upstream energy industry for the past 25 years across a range of commercial, technical and operational roles, having originally graduated as a Civil Engineer from the University of Adelaide. Greg has also worked in a number of countries including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Bruce Coulson Tough, Principal, Tough Law Firm – For more than three decades, Bruce has been one of Montgomery County’s most dedicated civic leaders, recognized widely for his service, leadership, and commitment to strengthening The Woodlands and the greater region. A respected public servant, business leader, and community advocate, he has earned some of the area’s highest honors for his contributions to youth, veterans, public safety, and local governance. He has also held key governance roles in major regional initiatives, including The Woodlands’ governance transition efforts, legislative committees, mobility planning teams, and economic outlook conferences.

Fitz Davis, Special Guest Judge – The South County 4th of July Committee is honored to welcome Fitz Davis as a special guest judge for this year’s parade. Fitz, age 9, is a cancer survivor who was treated at Texas Children’s. His strength and spirit make him a meaningful addition to this year’s judging panel and to the celebration of community, courage, and patriotism.