Long before they moved to Cordillera Ranch, Dennis and Karen had something important in common: a heart for service and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
By:
Kimberly Suta
Photography By:
David Teran, with contributions from the family
Throughout successful careers, both made a habit of raising their hands when something needed to be done. Dennis spent decades building companies, leading teams and solving complex challenges around the world, all while remaining actively involved in church, professional organizations and the communities where he lived. Karen built a reputation as a leader, mentor and community advocate, serving on numerous boards and nonprofit organizations while helping women entrepreneurs find their footing in business.
“A professor once told me, ‘You can’t make a difference,’ but I disagreed with him then, and I’ve spent my life trying to prove him wrong,” recalled Dennis.
Karen agreed, adding, “I’ve always believed that if you’ve been blessed with certain skills and experiences, you should use them to help make your community better.”
Today, that same spirit of service continues to shape their lives in Cordillera Ranch. Whether Karen is serving on the board of The Center in Boerne, helping facilitate Meals on Wheels (see Cordillera Ranch Living Magazine, July/August 2021), or mentoring others through various community organizations, and whether Dennis is leading the Cordillera Ranch Men’s Group and Bible studies or bringing people together through shared activities, both believe a meaningful life is built through relationships and involvement. In many ways, that shared philosophy is one of the reasons their marriage has worked so well for nearly three decades.
The couple first met through Great Expectations in the mid-1990s — a popular dating service long before online dating became the norm. At the time, Karen was living and working in Dallas and had won a membership through a networking event. Dennis, who had recently gone through a divorce, had joined on the recommendation of a high school friend who happened to own several of the franchise locations. While browsing through a book of K’s, Dennis spotted Karen’s profile and video. “I thought this is somebody I’d like to meet,” he shared. “Normally you’d get a phone number but Karen sent me her beeper number!”
Karen eventually agreed to dinner after one of Dennis’ church basketball games. She still remembers his outfit — a black cashmere sport jacket (aka “the babe magnet”) paired with blue jeans. Dennis remembers the conversation.
“I could usually get women to talk a lot more on a first date,” he laughed. “But Karen interrogated me.”
The first date led to a second, then a third, and before long the couple realized they had found something special. They married on May 9, 1998, and recently celebrated their 28th anniversary. Now, Dennis and Karen live a happy life together in their Cordillera Ranch home, but their journey to this point was decades in the making.
Dennis grew up in Warren, Michigan, just outside Detroit. A talented athlete, he earned a basketball scholarship to Trinity University during the school’s Division I era. He still remembers arriving in San Antonio for his recruiting visit. “It was sunny and 85 degrees. I thought, ‘Why would I stay in Michigan when I could have this?’” he said.
After earning his engineering degree, Dennis embarked on a career in the power generation industry that would take him around the world. He worked for General Electric before launching his own turbine services company and later participated in power development projects in countries including China, Turkey, Nigeria and the Czech Republic. Along the way, he earned six patents and built a reputation as an innovator within his field.
Karen’s professional path is equally impressive. After a fashion merchandising degree, she worked as a buyer for the Allied Department Store, Titches, in Dallas. She transitioned to work for a U.S. congressman and a Texas state senator. Her talent for marketing and relationship building eventually led her to PKF Texas in Houston, where she became the only non-CPA shareholder and helped develop one of the firm’s most successful marketing programs.
During her tenure, Karen and her team earned more than 150 marketing awards. She was also recognized as Houston Business Journal’s Chief Marketing Officer of the Year in 2017. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she devoted countless hours to nonprofit organizations, women’s leadership initiatives and community service projects throughout Houston.
Looking back, it’s easy to see that neither Karen nor Dennis were content to sit on the sidelines. They brought that same spirit of involvement with them to the Texas Hill Country. The couple purchased their Cordillera Ranch lot in 2003, long before they ever began building a home.
“The golf course wasn’t even here yet,” noted Dennis. “We bought our lot on Muirfield the very first day it was offered.”
They were drawn by the beauty of the Hill Country and envisioned one day retiring there. Like many carefully laid plans, however, life intervened. Family responsibilities, careers and other priorities delayed construction year after year. What they originally thought might be a relatively short wait ultimately stretched to nearly 16 years.
Finally, in 2018, construction began on the home they had envisioned for so long. The home later earned a Summit Award for interior design, but as proud as they are of the finished result, the couple concurs that the best part of moving to Cordillera Ranch wasn’t the architecture. It was all about the people.
“We knew it would be a beautiful place to live. What we didn’t realize was how incredible the community would be,” shared Karen, although her service has clearly contributed to a stronger and more united community. For Karen, becoming part of a community requires more than just presence. She believes that to truly belong to a community, you have to immerse yourself in it and take part in the meaningful work of giving back. This commitment began long before she moved here.
Even while still living in Houston, she was nominated by Cordillera residents to participate in San Antonio’s Master Leadership Program. Through that experience, she developed relationships throughout the region and gained a deeper understanding of the people and organizations that make the Hill Country unique. One opportunity led to another, and Karen became involved with Impact San Antonio, 100 Women of the Hill Country, Leadership Boerne and numerous other civic and charitable organizations.
Dennis, too, continues to stay active professionally through consulting work — trying to keep aging power plants operating during power-demand growth caused by AI. But much of his energy is focused closer to home — earlier this year, he assumed leadership of the aforementioned Cordillera Ranch Men’s Group — a role many fellow residents encouraged him to pursue after years of involvement. Before stepping into the position, Dennis spent countless gatherings getting to know the men who attended. Those relationships ultimately made the transition feel natural. “It’s been a real joy,” he affirmed. “All we’re trying to do is contribute and be of value to the community.”
For Dennis and Karen, their sense of unity is rooted in their shared commitment to Bible study. Together, they also lead a couples’ Bible study that has become one of the most rewarding parts of their lives. What began as a small gathering has grown into a group of more than 20 people, creating lasting friendships and a strong support network for everyone involved. “Carla Northington introduced me to the Trinity Presbyterian Woman’s Rafiki Bible study that meets to focus on God’s word in a semester-type arrangement. This ongoing study of different books of the Bible has been a source of learning more about God, his word and meeting those of like minds. We also are honored to be a part of the Bridge Fellowship that meets at Herff Elementary School on Sundays,” said Karen. This shared faith has played an important role throughout their marriage. “When we discovered that we both loved Jesus Christ, that became a very important foundation for us,” explained Karen. “That’s the focal point of our life together,” added Dennis.
Of course, life in Cordillera Ranch isn’t all meetings and volunteer work. The couple also enjoys traveling whenever possible and has explored destinations throughout Europe and beyond. Last December, they embarked on a Danube River Christmas Market cruise that took them from Budapest to Prague, complete with festive villages, holiday lights and plenty of unforgettable memories. “It was magical,” Karen said. “A trip of a lifetime.” On another trip to Italy in 2023, the couple, by chance, met a group from Cordillera, marking one of many serendipitous encounters from life on the Ranch.
Dennis also discovered another Michigander at Cordillera that was from his locality of Warren — Alex Preston. Karen discovered that Sheri Preston, his wife, went to the same high school — Richardson High! “The stories of connectivity to others here in Cordillera are numerous and providential,” shared Karen.
Although many adventures have been shared with friends they’ve met and reconnected with through Cordillera Ranch, family remains at the center of their lives. Dennis’ son and his family live in Dallas, along with the couple’s two beloved grandchildren, William and Eleanor. Recently, Eleanor called with a simple request. “She said, ‘I want to come to your house.’ How could you not love that?” smiled Karen.
Then there’s Allie, the family’s rescue dog and unofficial greeter. Part lab, part poodle and perhaps a few other breeds mixed in for good measure, Allie has become a beloved fixture around the house. Every morning, she proudly trots down the driveway to retrieve the newspaper before returning home as though she’s completed an important assignment. “She’s so good. And she seems to have human eyes,” said Dennis.
Both Dennis and Karen also place a strong emphasis on health and wellness. Even after more than 21 years as Club members, Dennis still enjoys golf and Club activities, while Karen stays active in Pilates, walking and strength training. Their active lifestyle helps fuel everything else they enjoy, from travel and volunteering to spending time with family and friends.
Looking back, it’s easy to see why Cordillera Ranch has been such a natural fit. Over the years, Dennis and Karen have built lasting friendships, deepened their faith, and found countless opportunities to contribute their time and talents. In return, they have discovered exactly what they’d hoped to find when they purchased their lot more than two decades ago: a place where meaningful connections flourish and neighbors become friends.
“God has truly blessed us by living out here in Cordillera Ranch. It has some of the best people in world that live here, a great golf course and fantastic amenities in this idyllic setting. The additional bonus is being of service to our church, our community and neighbors, and trying to make a difference to everything we’re involved with,” said Dennis.
As Karen puts it, “Our lives are fuller because of the people we are surrounded by.”
