Mayor John Muns guides Plano through the surge story Joshua Baethge | photos Kathy Tran
PLANO MAYOR JOHN MUNS says he's been working nonstop since being sworn in as the city’s 39th mayor in early May. His daily schedule typically includes at least three or four events in addition to his regular city business. “The demands on the time are pretty high, but I told staff that I was going to say ‘yes’ to almost anything in my first year,” he says. “I felt like I was obligated to do that.” His family moved to El Rancho Estates in 1969, when Muns was a child. His father, James, was the developer of the neighborhood. Back then, it seemed a long way from civilization, with only an unpaved road connecting it to the rest of the city. Muns graduated from Plano Senior High School and went off to Abilene Christian College. He met his future wife there and brought her back to Plano, where they have lived ever since. Following his father’s footsteps, he embarked on a career as a venture capitalist, working primarily in real estate development. In the early ’90s, the elder Muns served a term as Plano mayor while John Muns was president of the school board. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, they decided not to take on any more Plano development projects. It’s a stance he still adheres to today.
