Edward R. Tinsley
Encyclopedia
Edward Roy Tinsley, III (born ca. 1952), is an attorney, rancher, and businessman with interests in oil
, natural gas
, and restaurant
s who has twice failed in Republican
bids for the United States House of Representatives
from the 2nd congressional district of his adopted state of New Mexico
. He is the franchisor of the 16-outlet K-Bob's Steakhouse
based primarily in New Mexico and his native Texas
. Tinsley and his wife, the former Meredith George, reside on their Flying W Diamond Ranch, Inc., in Capitan
in Lincoln County
.
, the seat of Dawson County, south of Lubbock
in West Texas
. Growing up in Lamesa, he recalled a simple life of "the school, the church, and K-Bob’s", which had been founded in 1966 by Gabe E. Parson in Clovis
, New Mexico. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin
with a Bachelor of Science
in accounting. In 1977, he received his law degree
from Texas Tech University
in Lubbock. In 1978, he became a territory franchisee for Schlotzsky's
, a sandwich and soup chain based in Austin. He purchased the rights to develop Schlotzsky’s in New Mexico and southern Colorado
. At that time, he also owned a food-processing and distribution company known as Sun Country Honey.
In 1989, K-Bob's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
. After a year of negotiations, Tinsley acquired the company in April 1991. K-Bob’s, Inc., was hence transformed into K-Bob’s USA, Inc., and the latter was required to pay debts to creditors of the former over a 10-year period. Since the purchase, Tinsley has concentrated on the roots of his company, having personally met his franchisees and launched a monthly corporate newsletter called The T-Bone Tribune.
George W. Bush
, who appointed him to the board of the scenic Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico. In 2002, Tinsley ran unsuccessfully for the Republican congressional nomination
to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the late GOP
Representative Joseph R. Skeen. Instead, the party choice and the general election
victory went to intraparty rival Steve Pearce
.
In 2008, Pearce did not seek a fourth term in the U.S. House but instead ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate
seat vacated by veteran Republican Pete V. Domenici of Albuquerque
. Tinsley won a five-person Republican primary to succeed Pearce, but he lost the November 4 general election to the Democrat Harry Teague
, an oilman from Hobbs
, the first Democrat to win the post since 1978, the year that Domenici was elected to his second term as senator.
In the 2008 campaign, Tinsley came under Democratic fire for allegedly underpaying employees and for not establishing a K-Bob’s in the state capital of Santa Fe
, where the company is headquartered. Santa Fe is not in the 2nd ongressional district, but Tinsley’s ranch is within its boundaries.
After the primary campaign, Mrs. Tinsley removed the word "Republican" from campaign signs to recycle their use for the general election. The Tinsley campaign said that it would highlight conservative themes, rather than party affiliation in what turned out to have been a heavily Democratic year in New Mexico.
The candidates differed philosophically on numerous issues, including immigration
. Tinsley supported border-enforcement only, while Teague favors a path to citizenship of undocumented workers. The 2nd District has the largest population of Hispanics
in New Mexico, but the majority are unregistered or ineligible to vote. Others issues in the race were the North American Free Trade Agreement
and border drug trafficking
. Santa Fe is not in the 2nd congressional district, but Tinsley’s ranch is within the boundaries. Teague ultimately prevailed with 127,640 ballots (55.8 percent) to Tinsley's 101,084 (44.2 percent).
. He was formerly inducted into the New Mexico 4-H
Hall of Fame. He has been active in industry forums and has been a board member of several nonprofit associations, including the Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital Foundation in Albuquerque
and the Braford Cattle Association in Kansas City, Missouri
. He has also served on the board of Texas American Bank in Midland
. From 2006-2007, Tinsley was chairman of the board of the trade association
, the National Restaurant Association
, a position which required extensive travel throughout the United States and into Mexico
, China
, and Turkey
.
His Tinsley Hospitality Group is the master franchisor of K-Bob’s. The chief operating officer of K-Bob's is Michael W. Myers, a former president of Back Yard Burgers
, Inc. After the 2008 congressional campaign, Tinsley indicated that he would seek to expand the number of franchisees.
The Tinsleys have two adult children, Edward, a graduate of UCLA
and the London School of Economics
, and Ede, who completed studies at Vanderbilt University
in Nashville, Tennessee
. The Tinsleys attend the United Methodist Church
in Capitan.
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
, and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s who has twice failed in Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
bids for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from the 2nd congressional district of his adopted state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. He is the franchisor of the 16-outlet K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob’s Steakhouse is a regional restaurant chain that operates in the cattle country of Texas and New Mexico. Founded in 1966 in Clovis, New Mexico, by Gabe E. Parson , the company sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989, and reopened in 1991 under the ownership and management of Edward Roy Tinsley...
based primarily in New Mexico and his native Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Tinsley and his wife, the former Meredith George, reside on their Flying W Diamond Ranch, Inc., in Capitan
Capitan, New Mexico
Capitan is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, located north of the Lincoln National Forest between the Capitan and Sacramento Mountains at an elevation of 6,530 feet . The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census...
in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.1% White*0.5% Black*2.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*9.1% Other races*29.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
.
Background
Tinsley was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tinsley, Jr., in LamesaLamesa, Texas
Lamesa is a city in and the county seat of Dawson County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,952 at the 2000 census. Located south of Lubbock on the Llano Estacado, Lamesa was founded in 1903. Most of the economy is based on cattle ranching and cotton farming. The Preston E...
, the seat of Dawson County, south of Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
in West Texas
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
. Growing up in Lamesa, he recalled a simple life of "the school, the church, and K-Bob’s", which had been founded in 1966 by Gabe E. Parson in Clovis
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
, New Mexico. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in accounting. In 1977, he received his law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University School of Law
The Texas Tech University School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Known nationally for their continual success in trial advocacy competitions, the school focuses on forming practical lawyers who are ready to practice law upon...
in Lubbock. In 1978, he became a territory franchisee for Schlotzsky's
Schlotzsky's
Schlotzsky's is a privately held franchise chain of restaurants, specializing in sandwiches, headquartered in Downtown Austin, Texas. Schlotzsky's has more than 350 franchised and company-owned locations worldwide...
, a sandwich and soup chain based in Austin. He purchased the rights to develop Schlotzsky’s in New Mexico and southern Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. At that time, he also owned a food-processing and distribution company known as Sun Country Honey.
In 1989, K-Bob's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 11 is a chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is available to every business, whether organized as a corporation or sole proprietorship, and to individuals, although it is most...
. After a year of negotiations, Tinsley acquired the company in April 1991. K-Bob’s, Inc., was hence transformed into K-Bob’s USA, Inc., and the latter was required to pay debts to creditors of the former over a 10-year period. Since the purchase, Tinsley has concentrated on the roots of his company, having personally met his franchisees and launched a monthly corporate newsletter called The T-Bone Tribune.
Political matters
Tinsley has been a supporter of former U.S. PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, who appointed him to the board of the scenic Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico. In 2002, Tinsley ran unsuccessfully for the Republican congressional nomination
Nomination
Nomination is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office, or the bestowing of an honor or award.In the context of elections for public office, a candidate who has been selected by a political party is normally said to be the nominee of that party...
to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the late GOP
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Representative Joseph R. Skeen. Instead, the party choice and the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
victory went to intraparty rival Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce
Stevan Edward "Steve" Pearce is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Minority Whip.-Early life, education and career:...
.
In 2008, Pearce did not seek a fourth term in the U.S. House but instead ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat vacated by veteran Republican Pete V. Domenici of Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. Tinsley won a five-person Republican primary to succeed Pearce, but he lost the November 4 general election to the Democrat Harry Teague
Harry Teague
Harry Teague is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, an oilman from Hobbs
Hobbs, New Mexico
Hobbs is a city in Lea County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 28,657 at the 2000 census.Hobbs is the principal city of the Hobbs, New Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lea County.-Geography:...
, the first Democrat to win the post since 1978, the year that Domenici was elected to his second term as senator.
In the 2008 campaign, Tinsley came under Democratic fire for allegedly underpaying employees and for not establishing a K-Bob’s in the state capital of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, where the company is headquartered. Santa Fe is not in the 2nd ongressional district, but Tinsley’s ranch is within its boundaries.
After the primary campaign, Mrs. Tinsley removed the word "Republican" from campaign signs to recycle their use for the general election. The Tinsley campaign said that it would highlight conservative themes, rather than party affiliation in what turned out to have been a heavily Democratic year in New Mexico.
The candidates differed philosophically on numerous issues, including immigration
Immigration to the United States
Immigration to the United States has been a major source of population growth and cultural change throughout much of the history of the United States. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants,...
. Tinsley supported border-enforcement only, while Teague favors a path to citizenship of undocumented workers. The 2nd District has the largest population of Hispanics
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
in New Mexico, but the majority are unregistered or ineligible to vote. Others issues in the race were the North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
and border drug trafficking
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
. Santa Fe is not in the 2nd congressional district, but Tinsley’s ranch is within the boundaries. Teague ultimately prevailed with 127,640 ballots (55.8 percent) to Tinsley's 101,084 (44.2 percent).
Community service
In 1992, Tinsley received the Silver Spoon Award for community service from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association in AmarilloAmarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
. He was formerly inducted into the New Mexico 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
Hall of Fame. He has been active in industry forums and has been a board member of several nonprofit associations, including the Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital Foundation in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
and the Braford Cattle Association in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. He has also served on the board of Texas American Bank in Midland
Midland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States, on the Southern Plains of the state's western area. A small portion of the city extends into Martin County. As of 2010, the population of Midland was 111,147. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas...
. From 2006-2007, Tinsley was chairman of the board of the trade association
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
, the National Restaurant Association
National Restaurant Association
thumb|National Restaurant Association logoThe National Restaurant Association is a restaurant industry business association in the United States, representing more than 380,000 restaurant locations. It also operates the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation...
, a position which required extensive travel throughout the United States and into Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
His Tinsley Hospitality Group is the master franchisor of K-Bob’s. The chief operating officer of K-Bob's is Michael W. Myers, a former president of Back Yard Burgers
Back Yard Burgers
Back Yard Burgers is a regional franchise chain of quick serve restaurants. Its headquarters is located in Nashville, Tennessee. As of August 2008, there are 171 Back Yard Burgers locations in 20 states throughout the Southern and Midwestern United States, chiefly in Tennessee and...
, Inc. After the 2008 congressional campaign, Tinsley indicated that he would seek to expand the number of franchisees.
The Tinsleys have two adult children, Edward, a graduate of UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
and the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, and Ede, who completed studies at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. The Tinsleys attend the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
in Capitan.