Jeran Akers
Merrideth Jeran Akers (born c. 1947) was the mayor of Plano, Texas from 2000–2002, and ran for the Republican nomination for Collin County Commissioner in 2006. Akers was elected on May 6, 2000, with 64.17% of the vote, defeating opponent Dick Bode. Akers served one term before being defeated by Pat Evans in 2002. In 2006, Akers lost election the Republican Primary for County Commissioner to Jack Hatchell. In addition to being mayor, Akers previously served on the Plano City Council from 1993-1999. This included service as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem from 1997–1998 and Mayor Pro Tem  from 1998-1999. While Mayor of Plano, Akers founded the Collin County Mayors’ Alliance and was a member of the Metroplex Mayor’s Alliance. Akers graduated from the University of Alabama in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. While a student at Alabama, Akers was a member of the Air Force ROTC and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, as well as the Arnold Air Society. He then joined the United States Air Force in 1969, earning the rank of captain. He served in the USAF until 1973. While in the Air Force, Akers received a Master of Arts  in Public Administration. In 2010, Akers became the President and CEO of the Celina Chamber of Commerce. He was no longer in the position as of 2013. Akers was born in Cordova, Alabama, moved to Texas in 1975 and has lived in Plano, Texas since 1985.