Get to Know Baytown Mayor Brandon Capetillo (’92)

There’s something you may be surprised to learn about Baytown Mayor Brandon Capetillo: He’s “kind of shy.”

“People don’t know that. I love developing relationships with community members, so I must work past my shyness because public speaking is part of my job as mayor,” he admitted. “I try to do it as best as I can, as often as I can, and I think the public deserves to see and hear from their mayor.”

Another fun fact about the man currently serving his second term as the city’s top leader: He’s an alumnus of Lee College who earned his drafting certificate in 1992.

A third generation Baytonian, Capetillo (pronounced ca-peh-TEE-yo), is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, and he has known since he was a sixth grader that he was destined to hold a public office someday.

As you can imagine, Capetillo is a very busy man. He actually prefers it that way. So, it was an honor to sit down with Baytown’s mayor and get to know him a little better.

Why did you choose to attend Lee College?

I think I could have gone off to other schools, but for the most part, it was the best choice for me because of the accessibility. My very first course at Lee College was Government during my junior year of high school, but I returned to Lee College for a certification in AutoCAD, which is a drafting software application that was becoming popular at the time.

What did you do after graduating from Lee College?

I joined the United States Air Force. During my four years in the military, I received an associate degree in electronics systems technology at the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and served during Operation Desert Storm. As a Senior Airman, I calibrated instrumentation and devices for aircraft and aerospace related operations. Once I returned home to Baytown, I attended the University of Houston-Clear Lake where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Government and History.

Do you feel like your education at Lee College helped you get where you are today?

Absolutely. We are fortunate to have Lee College in Baytown. It was a great launch pad to other opportunities for me. The AutoCAD program helped me become more knowledgeable in engineering concepts. Most of the jobs I’ve had throughout my career were based on engineering type environments. In addition to being the mayor, I am a corporate quality control manager at Airgas, where I’ve been since 2015.

How do you see the college today versus when you attended?

Lee College was great in the 90s, but comparing the college from then to now, it’s way more advantageous for students in the sense that Lee College provides them with endless opportunities and training. I don’t see how someone can go into the workforce without having some level of higher education or workforce development. The need is there, and Lee College has always met that need at every level. Lee College is also a valuable community partner, and we are very fortunate for that. It’s a good opportunity for local students to seek higher education that is affordable and gain a very good skillset for a very good paying job.

You mentioned that you knew you wanted to hold a public office when you were in Junior High. Can you elaborate on that?

I’ve always been interested in how we, as a free society, can select and elect an individual to represent many people. As a junior high school student, I would have these insights of public office and it would always stay with me. I was our classroom representative on student council. Then I became treasurer of student council and president of student council. As a sixth grader representing a classroom, I ran into some challenges and took the role very seriously. That, in some ways, prepared me for my current role as mayor representing a population of nearly 90,000 constituents.

What or who inspired you to pursue politics?

Government and history have always been a part of me. Even when I went off to the Air Force, I just knew once I got out, I would get involved in local campaigns. When the opportunity presented itself, I ran for city council and served four consecutive terms before I ran for mayor. There are very few Latino-elected officials at all levels of government. People like Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio, inspired the idea of public office when I was young and that it is possible for an individual of Non-Anglo descent to pursue public office and be successful.

You certainly have your roots in Baytown, but do you have political aspirations beyond being mayor of your city?

There are some exciting things I’d like to see through as mayor, and Baytown is on the edge of some really important projects that I would like to see to fruition. I am willing to serve as a public servant in any capacity for Baytown, for whatever level of government that may be. I truly love my hometown.

What is one thing that has pleasantly surprised you as mayor?

I am surprised at how many young adults know who I am and how in tune they are with what’s happening with their local government. That brings me great satisfaction to know that young adults, our next generation of leaders, are aware of what’s happening at the city level. ✪