Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas Chief Marlon Runnels

Chief Runnels began his law enforcement career in 2001 as a detention officer with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. In 2005, he completed his Basic Peace Officer Course through the University of Houston Police Academy. Post police academy completion, he spent time with the Conroe Police Department as a patrolman, before moving onto the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. While there, he was assigned to the detention center as well as the county courts as a support bailiff. During that time at GCSO, he learned of their School Resource Officer program and that motivated him to embark on a career in school-based policing.

Chief Runnels joined the Klein ISD Police Department (KPD) in 2008 and was later promoted to Sergeant, where he assisted the police command staff on budgets, sensitive investigations, and other administrative and support functions within the agency.

In 2017, he was named Chief of Police for the Montgomery ISD Police Department, where he continued his work and service in school-based policing. During this time with the Montgomery ISD Police Department, he implemented innovative initiatives that supported every student they served.

In July 2020, he returned home to his Klein family taking on the role of Assistant Chief. Once promoted, Runnels continued to challenge the status quo. His forward thinking played an essential part in professional development of many of the Klein ISD Police Officers he leads.

On July 1, 2022, he was confirmed as the new CP of Klein ISD. The initiation was a historic moment in the 40-year history of the Klein ISD Police Department, as he is the first African American to lead the KPD.

Runnels acquired his Associates Degree from Lone Star College, and both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees were awarded from Texas Southern University. He holds a variety of specialized licenses such as Master Peace Officer, Police Instructor, ALERRT Instructor, SBLE Instructor, Standard Response Protocol K-12 Instructor (SRP), trained hostage negotiator, FBINAA Command College graduate, and FBI-LEEDA Trilogy recipient. His professional associations include Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), Houston Area Chiefs Association, Montgomery County Crime Stoppers, the Texas Gulf Coast Crime Prevention Association (TGCCPA), Houston Area Alliance of Black School Administrators (HAAPSE), and the Texas School District Police Chiefs’ Association (TSDPCA).

Marlon Runnels Chief of Police Klein

ISD Police Department

7407 Louetta Rd. Klein, TX 77379

(832) 249-4275 mrunnels1@kleinisd.net www.kleinisd.net

Pastor L. D. Lee, Sr. is the Founder of the Greater Vision Church in Houston. He celebrated 35 Years of preaching God’s word on April 8th of 2022. He also celebrated 24 years of Pastoring on October 9, 2022, and Greater Vision Church will celebrate their 20th Anniversary on March 19, 2023.

A native Houstonian, Pastor L. D. Lee Sr, known for his charismatic preaching style; shares his gift throughout the country through biblical interpretation, proclamation, and exposition. He is a graduate of Jack Yates High School and attended the University of Houston. He is currently matriculating at the College of Biblical Studies pursuing a Bachelor of Divinity.

In 1987, he became licensed as a minister under the leadership of Rev. Manson B. Johnson of The Holman Street Baptist Church. In 1998, under assignment by God, Pastor Lee served as pastor of Blessed Hope Baptist church for five years.