City Council

David Kleiber, Place 1

Phone: 972-736-2416
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Biography

David was born in Temple, Texas and now resides in Princeton, TX. He's married to Toni and together they have eight children, along with their golden retriever, Chief.

David graduated from Hill Junior College and went on to be the Manager at Safeway Stores for 13 years. He also worked in sales with Sara Lee for 30 years, eventually retiring from that position.

He served as the President of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce for four years and has been a member of the board of directors for six years. He also served on the Community Development Corporation, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development Corporation, and Parks and Recreation boards, all with the city of Princeton. He was elected as City Council Member, Place 1 in 2015 and continues to serve the community while working in this position.

Marlo Obera, Councilmember, Place 2

Phone: 972-736-2416
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Biography

Marlo Obera is a native Texan that settled in Princeton with his family in late 2014. Marlo has been married for 16 years to his wife, Brenda, and they share 6 children and 4 grandchildren. He quickly fell in love with Princeton and had the desire to get involved.

He graduated from Western Michigan Cooley Law School and is a licensed attorney working as an Assistant Public Defender for Dallas County. He's also a U.S. Army veteran.

Marlo has a love for people, service, and community. He's volunteered in several community efforts over the years. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors for the North Texas Municipal Water District and the Princeton Planning and Zoning Committee. He plans to continue actively serving the community throughout his term as a city council member.

Bryan Washington, Councilmember, Place 3

Phone: 972-736-2416
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Biography

Bryan Washington is a native of Houston, Texas but has been a Princetonite since 2008. Since then, Bryan and his wife Bianca have dedicated their time to the Princeton community through youth sports, community outreach, and supporting small businesses. They own The Jym - Princeton, a boxing gym located in historic downtown Princeton and participate in local non-profit organizations. They have three children: Bryanna (22), Kieran (18), and Mayan (13).

Bryan's background includes senior management roles in a variety of industries such as food and beverage, hospitality, family entertainment and health and fitness. When he is not training the next boxing champion, Bryan consults various other small business owners nationwide.

Bryan's time and dedication to our community are endless, showing his passion for the city. His reasons for serving on the city council are simple: to impact the growth and development of this wonderful city that he and his family plan to call home for many years to come.

Ryan Gerfers, Councilmember, Place 4

Phone: 972: 972-736-2416,  Email Ryan Gerfers

Biography

Ryan Gerfers has been happily married to Andreana for 19 years, and together, they have nurtured a loving family of four. Princeton has been their cherished home since July 2013, and their fondness for the city was evident from the moment they arrived. 

Their children, the heart of their world, have grown up in Princeton, receiving most of their education within its welcoming embrace. Ryan's daughter has become an integral part of the girls' soccer team at PHS, showcasing her talents at the varsity level. On the other hand, his son is an enthusiastic student at Southard, enthusiastically participating in sports and the school band. The deep affection Ryan holds for his family seamlessly extends to his devotion to the community. He firmly believes in the adage that it takes a village to achieve success in various endeavors, and he aspires to instill this spirit in Princeton. Together with Andreana, he envisions transforming the city into a remarkable place for residents and businesses alike. 

Professionally, Ryan wears multiple hats, serving as both a teacher and the head girls' soccer coach at Princeton High School. Additionally, he takes on a leadership role within his church, serving as a team lead. In all aspects of his life, Ryan dedicates himself wholeheartedly, giving his utmost to every task he undertakes. His commitment to Princeton is further underscored by his service on the Home Rule Charter Commission for the city, illustrating his unwavering dedication to making Princeton an exceptional place. 

During his well-deserved leisure time, Ryan seeks solace in the great outdoors. He possesses a profound passion for hunting and fishing, and he revels in sharing these activities with his family. Camping, working out, and leisurely bike rides also rank among their favorite shared experiences. Yet, soccer reigns supreme as their primary recreational pursuit, consuming most of their free time. 

Ryan's unwavering dedication to enhancing Princeton's quality of life is a testament to his character, and he is fully committed to collaborating with all the city's entities to ensure it becomes a place where everyone is happy to call home. 

Steven Deffibaugh, Honorable Mayor Pro Tempore, Place 5

Phone: 972-736-2416
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Biography

Steven Deffibaugh was born in Borger, Texas, was married to his wife Judy for 46 years, and has one son and two grandkids. Some of his career highlights include serving in the Marine Corps, being a police officer for both the Van Alstyne and McKinney Police Departments, and being Collin County Fire Marshal, just to name a few. His background also includes serving two terms as Mayor for the City of Princeton, he currently serves as Mayor Pro Tempore and has been on the City Council since May of 2010.

He's also actively involved in several organizations including, being the secretary of the Collin County Firefighters' Association, the President of the Princeton Community Development Corporation, and the Treasure for the Former McKinney Police Officers Association. He also served as a volunteer for the Princeton Fire Department from 1989 to 2018, before retiring as Assistant Chief.

Some of his award recognition includes the 2015 International Association of Fire Chiefs Ready Set Go Program National Award of Excellence, the 2015 Bronze Smokey Bear Award from the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of Foresters, and the Ad Council.

When he's not working or serving in the community, Steven enjoys fishing, clowning, and spending time with his family.

Ben Long, Council Member, Place 6

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Phone: 972-736-2416

Ben Long has called Princeton home since 2020. Ben has been married for 20 years to his wife, Nicole, and they have 3 children together. Their eldest son is a graduate of Princeton High School and currently attends Collin College. Their daughter and youngest son both attend high school here in Princeton.

Ben is a construction safety & health professional and actively serves as an Adult Leader in the Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, he is a current board member of his neighborhood’s Homeowners Association. These roles reflect his commitment to nurturing and fostering a strong community.

When Ben is not actively working or engaged in volunteer activities, some of his favorite hobbies involve his love for the outdoors including camping with family, hiking, off-road bicycling, and gardening.

Ben’s mission will be to facilitate growth and ensure an enhanced quality of life for his neighbors, friends, and everyone in this community.

Ben is dedicated to helping Princeton grow in the right direction!

Carolyn David-Graves, Council Member, Place 7

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Phone: 972-736-2416

Carolyn David-Graves grew up in the Caribbean and lived in several states before moving to Texas in 2015. Several years ago, she and her family started searching for a home in the surrounding cities and chose to establish their home in Princeton. After relocating, she committed herself to actively contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of Princeton. Among available options, she decided to serve Princeton by becoming a member of the City Council where she feels she would make the most impactful and positive difference. 

She graduated from the University of Akron, OH where she earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Mental Health Counseling. Professionally, she is a Clinical Research Quality & Regulatory Specialist, specializing in assuring the ethical conduct of clinical research and safeguarding the rights and welfare of research participants. 

Carolyn has a passion for improving the lives of others and volunteers as a leader in various ministries at church. She also operates a Private Practice as a Board Certified Belief Therapist. 

Carolyn’s vision is to build Princeton into a thriving city where residents love to call home and visitors want to return. She plans to do so by helping remove obstacles to growth with a commitment to integrity, open collaboration, mutual respect, and trust. Through her role on the City Council, Carolyn aspires to be a driving force in making this vision a reality for Princeton.