Bio of a Texas Poet

 

John J. Rigo, Texas Columnist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Rigo is a senior and resident of McKinney, Texas since 1970.  He and his wife have an insurance agency of twenty-five years in McKinney.  Mr. Rigo is a published poet, with two poetry books published to date, with a third book scheduled for publication in the Spring of 2010 (Ordering link: www.lulu.com/texaspoet ). 

All profits from his published poetry work go to the serve the “homeless cause” in the State of Texas.   

In 2001 and 2002, Mr. Rigo was a regular volunteer columnist contributor to the Dallas News representing McKinney, Texas, as well as the Collin County area of Texas.  Many of his suggestions and observation in his published articles by the News contributed to plus growth, as well as a substantial tax savings for citizens living in these communities.

Starting in 2007 through to date, Mr. Rigo has been a Guest Columnist in one of the leading newspapers for the Cedar Creek Lake area in East Texas, “The Cedar Creek Pilot,” on numerous occasions. His articles have been on such subjects as charity programs for slain Sheriff personnel in the county to observations on ways to overcome the downturn in the current economy.

In 2008, a lengthy letter sent to the City Manager of Gun Barrel City, Texas reviewing the outstanding service of a female Gun Barrel City Police Officer was instrumental in its presentation to the City Council of Gun Barrel City, in raising the base pay of beginning Police officers from $12,000 to a beginning base starting salary of $30,000.  This thereby assisted many Gun Barrel Police officers from seeking additional part time work to supplement their income prior to this income increase and raise for veteran officers on the force.

Mr. Rigo is an Honorably discharged Air Force Veteran, serving in both SAC and NATO commands.  He is the recipient of the Rotary Internationals’ Paul Harris Award, and is a member of the American Legion Post 310 in Gun Barrel City, Texas on Cedar Creek Lake. 

His career background consists of forty years experience in marketing and sales training as a corporate consultant.  Prior to his first retirement in 1989, Mr. Rigo was the principle owner and operator of a long term automobile leasing company out of Dallas, Texas.

Beside his Christian based non-profit ministry, John’s personal joy has been deep involvement in community affairs.  In his past he served as a Board Director, as well as President of the Eldorado Homeowners Association.  This HOA consisted of 726 homes, which Mr. Rigo over-sighted in his volunteer service. 

Mr. Rigo is the holder of the Collin County poetry award in 2001.  In 2002, Mr. Rigo was named by a top book publisher, as one of top two hundred emerging new poets of recognition in the U.S.  

In the exclusive Sheriff Academy program of Collin County, Mr. Rigo takes pride in being one of the first graduates of the course.