Grady Prestage
A Legacy of Service. A Vision for Fort Bend.
For more than three decades, Commissioner Grady Prestage has helped shape the places, services, and opportunities that Fort Bend County families rely on.
A civil engineer by training, he brings a builder’s perspective to public service: plan for growth, strengthen communities, and invest in the next generation.
Raised by educators on the Southern University campus, Grady earned his civil engineering degree there in 1980. He and his wife, Fheryl, made Fort Bend County their home and raised their children, Dustin and Erin.
Building a County. Investing in People.
Grady helped establish the county’s Community Development Department, Housing Finance Corporation, Toll Road Authority, and Parks and Recreation Department—institutions that support long-term growth and everyday quality of life. His work has also helped expand libraries, community centers, health services, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
From Bates Allen Park and Kitty Hollow Park to the Pinnacle Center for seniors, his legacy connects public investment with places where residents can gather, learn, stay active, and find support.
1990: A Historic Victory
Grady’s first campaign for commissioner in 1986 ended in a runoff loss by 92 votes. Four years later, he returned and won election to Precinct 2 in November 1990.
When he took office in 1991, he became Fort Bend County’s first African American commissioner since Reconstruction—a milestone in the county’s political history.
That victory began decades of service focused on infrastructure, community facilities, and opportunities for residents as Fort Bend grew.
Grady Prestage campaigning for commissioner in 1986. His first race ended in a runoff loss by 92 votes; he returned to win in 1990.
