Howard Burns, Jr. was originally elected to the Smithville ISD Board of Trustees in April of 1982 and served until May 1985. Mr. Burns was re-elected to the board on May 6, 1995. During his tenure on the board he has been elected to serve as the Secretary and the President. He served as the secretary of the board from 2000 – 2002, 2014, and President of the Board from 2015 - 2017 consecutive terms.
Mr. Burns and wife Mary have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Their children, as well as, 3 of their grandchildren (Lane, Brooke, and Addison Otto) have, or are, attending Smithville Schools.
Mr. Burns was born and raised in Smithville and attended schools here graduating in 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). Mr. Burns is a Certified Public Accountant which he currently holds in ‘retired’ status.
Prior to retirement, Mr. Burns was employed for 41 years by the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department, primarily as an Internal Revenue Agent and Appeals Officer. He has served on various community organizations including church boards, Smithville Little League, and the Smithville Hospital Board.