“Stewarding and strengthening the quality of life that defines Allen.”
Quick Facts
Running for: Mayor of Allen
Experience: Allen City Council, Place 4 (2019–2025) • Allen Mayor Pro Tem (2022–2024)
Background: Corporate finance • small business owner • longtime community volunteer
Priorities: Downtown development • infrastructure • neighborhood reinvestment • fiscal discipline
Election Date: May 2, 2026
Website:
chrisforallen.org
Facebook:
facebook.com/Chrisforallen
Meet Chris
Chris Schulmeister has called Allen home since 1984 and has remained active in local government and civic life as the city has grown and changed.
He served on the Allen City Council from 2019 to 2025, including two years as Mayor Pro Tem, and has also held regional and local leadership roles involving transportation, emergency services, water planning, economic development, and community outreach.
Professionally, Schulmeister spent 17 years in corporate finance with JCPenney and Belo Corporation before co-founding SMB Financial, a firm that advised small and mid-sized businesses and startup companies. He retired in 2022.
He earned a BBA from the University of North Texas and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.
Why I’m Running
“I am running for Mayor to ensure Allen stays on a success trajectory with regard to Public Safety, Economic Development, Transportation, Water/Waste management and investing in our aging neighborhoods and infrastructure, and doing so in a fiscally sound manner.
Allen is a unique and vibrant community and I want to see that we remain relevant in the sprawling area known as North Texas. We are transitioning from decades of rapid growth into the responsibilities of a mature city. That shift brings new challenges and it requires experience, vision and steady leadership. My educational and professional background, along with my years serving the city, and the relationships I have built in the community, uniquely position me to guide Allen forward.”
Focus Areas
Downtown Development
Revisit the Downtown Revitalization Plan and continue work toward a stronger downtown core.
Neighborhood Reinvestment & Infrastructure
Invest in aging neighborhoods and infrastructure as Allen transitions into a more mature city.
2045 Comprehensive Plan
Guide long-term decisions on land use, housing, transportation, economic development, and neighborhood integrity.
Fiscal Discipline & Public Safety
Maintaining Allen’s history of being good stewards of tax dollars while supporting police, fire, and emergency services.
Experience & Community Involvement
- Allen City Council, Place 4 (May 2019 – May 2025)
- Allen Mayor Pro Tem (June 2022 – June 2024)
- Regional Transportation Council, North Central Texas Council of Governments (July 2020 – June 2024)
- North Central Texas Emergency 911 Board of Managers (Jan. 2021 – July 2022)
- North Texas Municipal Water Board, Council Liaison (June 2023 – May 2025)
- Allen Community Development Corporation, Board Member (2011–2016)
- Allen Economic Development Corporation, Board Member (2016–2019)
- Allen’s 2016 Capital Improvement Bond Program, Finance Committee Chair (2015–2016)
- All Community Outreach, Board President (2015–2017) and Board Member (2011–2015)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Appreciation Day Service, Steering Committee for Collin County (2018–2022)
- Allen Sunrise Rotary, Past President and current member
- First United Methodist Church Allen, current member and past Finance Chair
- Allen High School “Home Run” Booster Club, President in 2008
Editor’s note
Candidate profiles are published as submitted, with light editing for clarity or length. The views expressed are those of the candidate and do not imply endorsement by TX3DNews.