City of Waco Welcomes New & Returning Councilmembers

Last updated on May 13, 2026 at 06:30 AM

City Secretary Michelle Hicks swearing in Jed Cole (District Three), Andrea J. Barefield (District One), and Mayor Jim Holmes (At-Large) for two-year terms on Waco City Council.

Mayor Jim Holmes and District One Council Member Andrea Barefield were sworn in for another two-year term during a special Waco City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 12. Newcomer Jed Cole was also sworn in to represent District Three.

Jed Cole is a Waco native, and he returned home in 2018 to pursue a career in real estate development and investing. He is the founder of Brick Street Holdings and teaches real estate investments at Baylor University. Cole holds degrees from the University of Texas, Stanford University, and Harvard University. He has been involved in local development and civic initiatives since returning to Waco. He and his wife, Meredith, have one son, Jeddy.

Cole brings extensive public service experience to the City Council, having served on several local boards and commissions over the years. His previous roles include the Waco Public Improvement District Number One Advisory Board, the Urban Renewal Agency, the Building Standards Commission, the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, and the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee. He also recently concluded his service as Chair of the Plan Commission, further demonstrating his longstanding commitment to the growth and development of the Waco community.

Also at the May 12 council meeting, District Five Councilmember George Chase was named our mayor pro tem by a vote of the Council. The mayor pro tem steps in as mayor when Mayor Jim Holmes is unavailable.

Join us in welcoming Council Member Cole and in congratulating all three council members as they begin their new terms serving the City of Waco.

Jed Cole (District Three), Mayor Jim Holmes (At-Large), and Andrea J. Barefield (District One)

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