Ben Perry to serve as new executive director of 100 Club Heart of Texas

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A local organization that helps families of first responders killed or seriously injured in the line of duty is getting a new executive director who says it’s a full circle moment for him after starting and now ending his career in law enforcement.

Longtime County Commissioner and law enforcement officer of nearly two decades Ben Perry will be taking the reins of the 100 Club Heart of Texas from former Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman.

Perry spent the first 16 years of his life serving in law enforcement in different departments across McLennan County.

He then worked at an insurance agency while also serving since 2010 as a McLennan County Commissioner.

He just announced his retirement from the Commissioner’s Court which will take effect in 2026.

“I’ve come full circle,” Perry said. “It’s the opportunity for me at the end of my career go back to where I started and serve them. I’m excited about it.”

The 100 Club Heart of Texas is a citizen-based, non-profit organization that raises funds to help pay funeral expenses, relieve mortgage or other debt, and cover educational expenses for the family of first responders killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

Brent Stroman has led the group the last four and a half years.

Stroman worked at the Waco Police Department for almost 40 years and spent his final eight as police chief.

The 100 club locally was founded in 2012 and one of the first groups they helped was families of those killed in the West fertilizer plant explosion in 2013.

“We were able, through gifts from the community, we gave those families $73,000,” Stroman recalled.

The nonprofit also helped the family of Falls County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Jones who was killed in the line of duty on Highway 6 in 2019.

Stroman gets emotional when recalling that gift.

“We were able , through our insurance policy, we were able to award his wife $25,000,” Stroman said. “That was everything to her. She’s a teacher and she needed the money.”

Perry says his wife, Jill, will help with administrative duties so he can get out in the community and raise awareness and funds for an organization that does so much.

“Chief Stroman has turned this into a full-time job,” Perry smiled. “My intent is to be in the community, so if you’re not a member of the 100 Club, personally or corporately, get used to this face because I’m going to be knocking on your door.”

The official transition will happen on October 1.

For more information or to join visit Home - 100 Club Heart of Texas

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