Here are the newly elected officials who will be serving Sugar Land—each bringing their own experiences, passion, and commitment to our community. Learn more about the Mayor and City Council Members below.
Mayor
Carol McCutcheon
Biography: Mayor Carol McCutcheon is a passionate and dedicated leader who has been serving the Sugar Land community for 31 years. For the past eight years, she’s represented residents on City Council, championing key issues like public safety, infrastructure revitalization, and traffic mobility.
Married for 37 years, Mayor McCutcheon holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. She began her career as a petroleum engineer in the energy sector, bringing a strong problem-solving mindset to public service.
She served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2019–2020 and has participated in numerous city boards, commissions, and committees. In 2022, she was named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women.
Mayor McCutcheon is a graduate of Sugar Land 101, the Citizens Police, Fire, and Airport Academies, as well as Leadership Houston, Leadership Texas, and Leadership America.
A trailblazer in her industry, she is a former president of the Women’s Energy Network and has co-chaired charity fundraisers supporting women and children. She was named a Fort Bend Woman of the Year in 2003 and has served as a First Colony Neighborhood Representative for 31 years.
Mayor McCutcheon has been a tireless advocate for a safe, vibrant, and inclusive community.
“I am proud of all we’ve accomplished. Together, we can create an even brighter future for Sugar Land!”
– Mayor Carol McCutcheon
At-Large Position 1
Jim Vonderhaar
Biography: Council Member Jim Vonderhaar is a longtime Sugar Land resident, businessman, and dedicated community leader. With a deep understanding of the city’s needs and a proven record of leadership, he is committed to ensuring smart growth, maintaining a high quality of life, and fostering a strong, balanced economy.
With over 30 years of experience in the energy sector and as a former owner of a home care agency, Council Member Vonderhaar brings expertise in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and community service. He’s served as vice president of his HOA, chaired local nonprofit initiatives, and participated in Sugar Land’s Legislative Task Force.
A collaborative leader, he works closely with residents, businesses, and city leaders to address key issues such as mobility, infrastructure, public safety, and sustainable development. He earned his degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and has been married to his high school sweetheart, Janine, for 47 years. They have one son and two granddaughters.
At-Large Position 2
Rob Boettcher
Biography: Council Member Rob Boettcher is committed to preserving what makes Sugar Land great while guiding the city toward its promising future. He is in his second term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and has also served as an Alternate Election Judge, Precinct Chair, and youth basketball coach.
Council Member Boettcher and his wife Leah, whom he met at a local baseball game similar to our Sugar Land Space Cowboys, live, work, and raise their two children, Lilah (9) and Liam (1), right here in our city.
His top priority is maintaining Sugar Land as the premier city in Fort Bend County. He believes Sugar Land is a wonderful place to start and raise a family, with a strong community feel that residents and council must work together to preserve.
With over 15 years of engineering experience in upstream oil & gas, public utilities, energy reliability, and infrastructure, Council Member Boettcher plans to leverage these skills to best serve the residents of Sugar Land.
District 1
Suzanne Whatley
Biography: Elected to serve District One, Council Member Suzanne Whatley is a 27-year Sugar Land resident, a small business owner of 19 years, a commercial property owner in District One, and a mother of five. Her business background, community involvement, and love of governance bring a unique perspective to City Council.
She currently serves on the Sugar Land Development Corporation (SLDC), Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Finance/Audit Committee, TIRZ No. 3, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council. Her past committee service includes the Compensation Committee and Sugar Land 4B Corporation (SL4B).
Her husband of 32 years, Brad, also owns a small business in Sugar Land and shares her passion for serving the community.
District 2
Sanjay Singhal
Biography: Council Member Sanjay Singhal has proudly called Sugar Land home for over a decade. As a former Telfair HOA Board Member and its president for three years, he focused on improving amenities, reducing HOA fees, and building financial reserves.
With more than 30 years of senior executive experience as an engineer at Schlumberger, Council Member Singhal brings a strategic, results-driven mindset to City Council. He has led global teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and navigated complex problem-solving challenges.
He is deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering real results for residents. His leadership during community efforts against a proposed power plant—where he organized town halls and ensured public input—reflects his dedication to resident voices.
His priorities include:
Keeping neighborhoods safe through expanded technology use
Investing in future infrastructure
Ensuring smart, responsible spending to keep taxes low
Keeping city government transparent and accountable
District 3
Stewart Jacobson
Biography: Council Member Stewart Jacobson was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Texas to attend the University of Texas School of Law, earning his JD in 1984. He became a Certified Financial Planner™ in 1988 and has led his own firm, Dearborn & Creggs, since 1989. The firm serves a variety of clients, especially educators and municipal employees.
He has held numerous leadership roles in both business and community service and continues to advocate for Sugar Land’s financial strength and resident-focused planning.
District 4
D. F. “Rick” Miller, Captain U.S. Navy (ret.)
Biography: Council Member Rick Miller graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. After graduation, he participated on the first United States Olympic baseball exhibition team in Mexico, before becoming a Naval Aviator and making numerous deployments aboard the USS Independence.
During his 30-year Navy career, he progressed to the rank of Captain and held top leadership roles in carrier-based squadrons, the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, and on the Secretary of the Navy’s staff. His career highlights include commanding Attack Squadron 205, Carrier Air Wing 20, and Naval Air Station Dallas.
He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, earning a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, and served as Senior Fellow on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group—developing innovative warfighting concepts for the 21st-century Navy.
His personal awards include:
Defense Superior Service Award
Legion of Merit (3 awards)
Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards)
Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards)
Following his Navy career, Council Member Miller held senior leadership positions in corporate organizational development and later founded the TREVANIONGROUP, LLC, which focuses on leadership training and strategic planning. He also serves on the boards of two nonprofits: Impact A Hero and The Warriors Refuge.
He is married to Treanne. Their older son is an Admiral in the Navy, and their younger son is a District Court Judge in Harris County. They are proud grandparents to ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Sugar Land’s newly elected leaders bring with them a wealth of experience, deep community ties, and a shared vision for the city’s future. As they begin their terms, they’ll be working together, and with you, to ensure Sugar Land continues to be the safest, most welcoming, and forward-thinking city in the region.
Want to stay involved and informed? Make your voice heard by attending City Council meetings.
Here are the newly elected officials who will be serving Sugar Land—each bringing their own experiences, passion, and commitment to our community. Learn more about the Mayor and City Council Members below.
Mayor
Carol McCutcheon
Biography: Mayor Carol McCutcheon is a passionate and dedicated leader who has been serving the Sugar Land community for 31 years. For the past eight years, she’s represented residents on City Council, championing key issues like public safety, infrastructure revitalization, and traffic mobility.
Married for 37 years, Mayor McCutcheon holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. She began her career as a petroleum engineer in the energy sector, bringing a strong problem-solving mindset to public service.
She served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2019–2020 and has participated in numerous city boards, commissions, and committees. In 2022, she was named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women.
Mayor McCutcheon is a graduate of Sugar Land 101, the Citizens Police, Fire, and Airport Academies, as well as Leadership Houston, Leadership Texas, and Leadership America.
A trailblazer in her industry, she is a former president of the Women’s Energy Network and has co-chaired charity fundraisers supporting women and children. She was named a Fort Bend Woman of the Year in 2003 and has served as a First Colony Neighborhood Representative for 31 years.
Mayor McCutcheon has been a tireless advocate for a safe, vibrant, and inclusive community.
At-Large Position 1
Jim Vonderhaar
Biography: Council Member Jim Vonderhaar is a longtime Sugar Land resident, businessman, and dedicated community leader. With a deep understanding of the city’s needs and a proven record of leadership, he is committed to ensuring smart growth, maintaining a high quality of life, and fostering a strong, balanced economy.
With over 30 years of experience in the energy sector and as a former owner of a home care agency, Council Member Vonderhaar brings expertise in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and community service. He’s served as vice president of his HOA, chaired local nonprofit initiatives, and participated in Sugar Land’s Legislative Task Force.
A collaborative leader, he works closely with residents, businesses, and city leaders to address key issues such as mobility, infrastructure, public safety, and sustainable development. He earned his degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and has been married to his high school sweetheart, Janine, for 47 years. They have one son and two granddaughters.
At-Large Position 2
Rob Boettcher
Biography: Council Member Rob Boettcher is committed to preserving what makes Sugar Land great while guiding the city toward its promising future. He is in his second term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and has also served as an Alternate Election Judge, Precinct Chair, and youth basketball coach.
Council Member Boettcher and his wife Leah, whom he met at a local baseball game similar to our Sugar Land Space Cowboys, live, work, and raise their two children, Lilah (9) and Liam (1), right here in our city.
His top priority is maintaining Sugar Land as the premier city in Fort Bend County. He believes Sugar Land is a wonderful place to start and raise a family, with a strong community feel that residents and council must work together to preserve.
With over 15 years of engineering experience in upstream oil & gas, public utilities, energy reliability, and infrastructure, Council Member Boettcher plans to leverage these skills to best serve the residents of Sugar Land.
District 1
Suzanne Whatley
Biography: Elected to serve District One, Council Member Suzanne Whatley is a 27-year Sugar Land resident, a small business owner of 19 years, a commercial property owner in District One, and a mother of five. Her business background, community involvement, and love of governance bring a unique perspective to City Council.
She currently serves on the Sugar Land Development Corporation (SLDC), Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Finance/Audit Committee, TIRZ No. 3, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council. Her past committee service includes the Compensation Committee and Sugar Land 4B Corporation (SL4B).
Her husband of 32 years, Brad, also owns a small business in Sugar Land and shares her passion for serving the community.
District 2
Sanjay Singhal
Biography: Council Member Sanjay Singhal has proudly called Sugar Land home for over a decade. As a former Telfair HOA Board Member and its president for three years, he focused on improving amenities, reducing HOA fees, and building financial reserves.
With more than 30 years of senior executive experience as an engineer at Schlumberger, Council Member Singhal brings a strategic, results-driven mindset to City Council. He has led global teams, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and navigated complex problem-solving challenges.
He is deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering real results for residents. His leadership during community efforts against a proposed power plant—where he organized town halls and ensured public input—reflects his dedication to resident voices.
His priorities include:
Keeping city government transparent and accountable
District 3
Stewart Jacobson
Biography: Council Member Stewart Jacobson was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Texas to attend the University of Texas School of Law, earning his JD in 1984. He became a Certified Financial Planner™ in 1988 and has led his own firm, Dearborn & Creggs, since 1989. The firm serves a variety of clients, especially educators and municipal employees.
He has held numerous leadership roles in both business and community service and continues to advocate for Sugar Land’s financial strength and resident-focused planning.
District 4
D. F. “Rick” Miller, Captain U.S. Navy (ret.)
Biography: Council Member Rick Miller graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. After graduation, he participated on the first United States Olympic baseball exhibition team in Mexico, before becoming a Naval Aviator and making numerous deployments aboard the USS Independence.
During his 30-year Navy career, he progressed to the rank of Captain and held top leadership roles in carrier-based squadrons, the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, and on the Secretary of the Navy’s staff. His career highlights include commanding Attack Squadron 205, Carrier Air Wing 20, and Naval Air Station Dallas.
He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, earning a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, and served as Senior Fellow on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group—developing innovative warfighting concepts for the 21st-century Navy.
His personal awards include:
Following his Navy career, Council Member Miller held senior leadership positions in corporate organizational development and later founded the TREVANIONGROUP, LLC, which focuses on leadership training and strategic planning. He also serves on the boards of two nonprofits: Impact A Hero and The Warriors Refuge.
He is married to Treanne. Their older son is an Admiral in the Navy, and their younger son is a District Court Judge in Harris County. They are proud grandparents to ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Sugar Land’s newly elected leaders bring with them a wealth of experience, deep community ties, and a shared vision for the city’s future. As they begin their terms, they’ll be working together, and with you, to ensure Sugar Land continues to be the safest, most welcoming, and forward-thinking city in the region.
Want to stay involved and informed? Make your voice heard by attending City Council meetings.
View agendas, minutes, and videos here: www.sugarlandtx.gov/2908/Meeting-Agendas-Minutes-and-Videos
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