Press Release Short Biography:

About Tim Mikeska: 

Tim Mikeska is CEO of Mikeska's Bar-B-Q Inc. and owns Mikeska Brands USA. Raised in Taylor Texas, and son of famed restaurateurs Rudy and Joy Mikeska, Tim learned to cook at an early age and grew up making sausage and catering Texas Bar-B-Q with his father. Tim has served US Presidents, US Congress, Texas Governors, British Royalty, Texas Legislature, actors and famous musicians throughout the United States. He has also served his Texas Bar-B-Q in England, Germany, Bosnia, and Canada. Tim has been featured on the Food Network's Food Nations program with Chef Bobby Flay, The Travel Channel with Andrew Zimmern, the CBS Early Show, and was a star and 2 time Emmy winner on the PBS Emmy Award Documentary. "Masters of Texas Barbecue" along with 6 books about Texas Bar-B-Q. Some of Tim's proudest moments were traveling to Bosnia to serve his Bar-B-Q to U.S. Peacekeepers on July 4th and to Texas Task Force One upon their return from New York and rescue operations at the World Trade Center. He also served the 4th Infantry Division upon their return to Texas after capturing Saddam Hussein and donated a feast for over 3,000 Texas National Guard Soldiers and their families upon their return from active duty in Europe. For these accomplishments, Tim received the prestigious "Texas Eagle Award" from the Texas Military Forces and "The Seven Seals Award" from the United States Military representing all seven branches of the US military forces. Tim Mikeska was inducted into the Meat Cutters Club of America and the BBQ Central Hall of Fame.. A servant to his church and his community, Tim has served on the Taylor City Council, The Williamson County Health District Board, The Economic Development Committee, and President of the Taylor Chamber of Commerce. He is CEO of Mustang Creek Golf Course, founded in 1914, which is the 14th oldest golf course in Texas. Tim Mikeska was one of the fist EMT-Paramedics in Texas who was also an Instructor and Adjunct Professor for Emergency Medical Services teaching over 600 EMT's and Paramedics. He founded the East Williamson County Emergency Care Team as one of the first, first responder organizations in Texas. In 1982, he created Taylor Heartsaver, a program that taught CPR to over 400 citizens of east Williamson County. Now, 40 years later, Taylor Heartsaver LLC has returned to teach the citizens of his hometown CPR, Heartsaver, Heartcode, First Aid, Naloxone Administration, AED and OSHA environmental medical emergencies.  In 2020, after almost 45 years on the ocean in various vessels, he graduated as a United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain with a Master Rating.   In 2023, he became a Command Pilot with Angel Flight South Central, Air Care Alliance and Pilots N Paws, using his aircraft to support patients in need of medical transportation flights and for animals that needed to transportation to their forever homes.  

Education:

1st through 8th Grade St. Mary’s Parochial School
Graduate Taylor High School
Graduate Temple College - Scott & White Paramedic School
Graduate Texas A&M Municipal Fireman’s Training School
Federal Aviation Administration, Licensed Pilot, Fixed Wing Aircraft, Rotorcraft/Helicopter and Unmanned Aerial Systems Commercial Remote Pilot
Graduate USCG Sea Academy Licensed Captain Master 100 Tons Merchant Marine
American Heart Association, Certified Basic Life Support, Advanced CPR, AED, Narcan Certified.
American Heart Association, Certified Basic Life Support Instructor

Stop the Bleed, Instructor
Take 10 CPR Instructor 

Food Service Certifications:

Certified Texas Food Safety Manager
Certified Texas Food Manager
Certified Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission Seller
Certified Texas Food Handler
Vocational M.A. Meat Cutters of America Master Butcher ~ Master Sausage Maker

Past EMS and Fire Department Affiliations:

1979 - 1989 Founder and Former President and Board Chairman of the East Williamson County Emergency Care Team
1979 - 1990 Certified EMT-Paramedic, Texas Department of Health
1979 - 1985 Field Paramedic Williamson County Emergency Medical Services
1982 Charter Member of the Texas E.M.S. Instructors Society
1980 - 1990 E.M.S. Instructor/Examiner with The Texas Department of Health
1980 - 1990 Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor/Examiner
1980 - 1985 Instructor of Vocational EMT-Paramedic Programs, Temple College
1983 Member of the E.M.S. State Legislative Council (wrote the first laws governing EMS in Texas)
1995 - 2003 Assistant Chief, Taylor Vol. Fire Department
1997 -  2001 Assistant Chief Taylor Fire Department
2003 - 2005 Chief, Taylor Fire District
Certified Firefighter, Advanced, Texas State Fireman’s & Fire Marshals Association
Firefighter I and II, Chief Officer Certifications 1984
Master Operator and Instructor, Hurst "Jaws of Life" Rescue Tools
Williamson County CRC (County Resource Coordinator) Incident Command
Extrication Instructor, Texas Department of Health
Advanced Incident Command Operations, Texas A&M TEEX Service
Williamson County Emergency Communications Committee
Certified Weather Spotter, Project SkyWarn, National Weather Service
26+ Year Member of the Taylor Volunteer Fire Department Having Held These Offices: Secretary, Vice President, Training Officer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Chief
EOC Operations Officer, City of Taylor
Former Vice President, Williamson County Fire Chiefs Association
Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs
Member, Texas Fire Chiefs Association
Member, Volunteer Chief Officers Association
Member, National EMS Pilots Association
Incorporated and Director/Officer Friendship Vol. Fire Department
Former Williamson County Task Force 24 Resource Coordination Duty Officer
Former Member, Williamson County Weapons of Mass Destruction Task Force
Incident Command for Volunteer Water Rescue, Hurricane Harvey, Houston, Katy, and Cypress Texas
AHA Certified Basic Life Support Provider
AHA Certified Basic Life Support Instructor, AED, Heart Code, First Aid, Narcan, OSHA Certified
Founder and CEO, Taylor Heartsaver LLC

Chairman and Director, Taylor Heartsaver Foundation  


Service to St. Mary’s Parish

1967 – 1974 Altar Server
1973 Explore Vocations, St. Mary’s Catholic Seminary, Houston Texas.
1985 - 1988 Teacher of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD
1974-1980 Lecturer
1974 - 1981 Usher
1982  PreCana Marriage Councilor  
1984 - 1989 Teacher of Baptismal Preparation Class for Parents and Godparents
1984- 1992  Eucharistic Minister, St. Mary's Catholic Church
1989  Ethics and Integrity Certified
1965 - 2005 Supported St. Mary’s School Fall Festival by donating 1,500 meals annually.
2002 Donated Fire/Smoke Detectors for all classrooms
2005 Donated Automatic External Defibrillators for St. Mary’s Church and School
2020 Photographer/Videographer for Renovation
2022 Livestream Video Systems Operator
2022 Ethics and Integrity Ministry Certified, Diocese of Austin

2023 Minister of Livestream and Visual Media

Awards:

"American Legion Award" 1973, St. Mary’s Catholic School
"Balfour Leadership Award", 1978, Taylor High School
"Danforth Award" 1978 Taylor High School
"Mr. Taylor High School", 1978, Taylor High School
"Firefighter Instructors Award" 1984 Texas A&M University Fireman’s Training School
"1984, Who’s Who Outstanding Young Men of America
"Outstanding Firefighter", 1984 Taylor Fire Department
"Past Presidents Award", 1985 Taylor Chamber of Commerce
Honorary Chapter Farmer, Taylor FFA-4H
"Nat Henderson Lifetime Achievement Award" Taylor International Barbecue Cookoff
"Founders Dedication & Support Award" 1992 East Williamson County Emergency Care Team
"Legislative Support Award", 1993, McDonalds Restaurants
"Outstanding Texas Family Business Award", 1996 Baylor University
"1997 Citizen of the Year Award" Williamson County EMS
"Seven Seals Award", 1998, by the National Committee for Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve
"Outstanding Landing Zone Operations", 2000 Scott & White Hospital Medevac
"2000 Bosnia Participation Award", National Guard Association of Texas
"2001 Texas Eagle Award" for outstanding support of the reserve Components in Texas Awarded by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee
2003 2 - Emmy Awards, Masters of Texas Barbecue, Documentary of Cultural Significance and Videography
2004 Commissioner of Barbecue, State of Texas, Office of the Governor
City of Taylor Service Award, Taylor City Council
Emcee Award, Kentucky State BBQ Festival
2017, Masters Panel, National Barbecue Association
Meat Cutters Club of America, "Hall of Fame"
2017 Chairman's Award, Taylor Chamber of Commerce
BBQ Central Hall of Fame

Past and Current Affiliations:

Chairman of the Board, Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q Inc. 
Member, George Bush Presidential Library Foundation
Member, Taylor High School Ex-Students Association
1982 - 1985 Director and President of the Taylor Chamber of Commerce
Member, Cessna Pilots Association
Member, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Member, Mooney Airplane Pilots Association
Member, National Association of Boards of Health
Member, Helicopter Club of America
Member, Texas Municipal League
Member, Association of Mayors and Council members
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers
Member, The Butchers Guild
Member, Master Butcher, Meat Cutters Club of America and "Hall of Fame" 2016 Inductee
President, CEO Mustang Creek Golf Course, Taylor Golf Course Inc.
Owner and Chief Pilot, Mikeska Aerial Services
Photographer, Mikeska Photography
United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain- Master 100 Ton, Mikeska Coastal Services
Founder and CEO Taylor Heartsaver

Chairman and Director, Taylor Heartsaver Foundation
Taylor Independent School District, Ambassador
Taylor Independent School District, Taylor Aides 

Flying Affiliations:

FAA Certified Pilot......Airplane and Helicopter
FAI General Aviation Commission Certified Flight Crew
Federation Aeronautique International Sporting License
City of Taylor Texas, Airport Board Chairman 1995-2002
City of Taylor Texas, Special Federal Airspace Zoning Commissioner
1992 Sponsor and Pilot of the World Helicopter Championships in Swindon England
1994 Field Judge....Precision Flying, United States Helicopter Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada
Volunteer Search and Rescue Pilot
EMS/Fire Rescue Fixed Wing and Rotorcraft Pilot
Hurricane Rita, Katrina and Relief Supply and Support Pilot
Hurricane Harvey Incident Command Animal Rescue, West and Southwest Sector
FAA Certified Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems Remote Pilot
Texas Parks and Wildlife Aerial Wildlife Management Commercial Permit
Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer for Taylor Municipal Airport

Command Pilot, Air Care Alliance

Command Pilot, Angel Flight South Central Wing

Command Pilot, Pilot N Paws 

United States Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain Power Vessels
United States Coast Guard Licensed Master Captain #8473282
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (offshore and inshore fishing)
Operator of Inspected Vessels 100 Tons
USCG Towing Endorsement
Near Shore (200 miles) and Inshore

Federal Communications Commission Licenses

General Mobile Radio Service GMRS WQYJ-877
Aircraft Station License (2) N21F N9653Q
Marine Ship Station License (2) "Meggie Rae" "Brenda Ann"

FESTIVAL HOST AND MARKETING AFFILIATIONS:

1978 - 2005... 2014-2022 Taylor International Barbecue Cookoff. Chief Judge and Judge host.
Windy City BBQ Classic. Chicago Illinois. Stage Host, Emcee and Food Inspector
Kentucky State BBQ Festival. BBQ Judge, Stage Host, Emcee, and Online Marketing
Windy City Smokeout. Chicago Illinois. Pitmaster Support and Food Supplier
Celebrity Judge, Bacon Fest, Texas Hill Country
StompNholler Festival, Cofounder Taylor Texas
Steak Cookoff Association, Certified Judge and Event Promoter

TV and Media Appearances:

Food Network with Chef Bobby Flay FoodNations
CBS Early Show 2003 Memorial Day Special
Masters of Texas Barbecue, Emmy Award Winning Documentary
KLAS TV Morning Show
The Travel Channel, Texas Episode with Chef Andrew Zimmern
Keye-TV Austin Texas
Kxan-TV Austin Texas
ABC7Chicago
Texas Monthly Texas BBQ Featured Pitmaster
5 Books about Texas Barbecue
The Masters Panel, NBBQA

Noted Accomplishments:

Delivered 2 newborns and assisted in delivery of 4 newborns as a EMT-Paramedic
Taught CPR Lifesaver classes to over 600 residents of Taylor Texas
Traveled to Bosnia to serve a Bar-B-Q to U.S. Peacekeepers on July 4th
Used both Fixed Wing Aircraft, and Helicopter to support Fire, Rescue and Recovery Operations
Was one of the first First Responders to use Digital Marine Sonar Technology in Lake Rescue and Recovery Operations
Donated and Served a Texas BBQ for Texas Task Force 1 upon their return from New York and rescue operations at the World Trade Center. 
Secured from Williamson County Texas and personally funded a VHF/UHF Repeater Remote Mobile Command Center
Served 4th Infantry Division upon their return to Texas after capturing Saddam Hussein
Donated a feast for over 3,000 Texas National Guard Soldiers and their families upon their return from active duty in Bosnia.
Donated, Directed and Distributed 300 Automatic External Defibrillators, Joy A. Mikeska Foundation.
Along with his son, Timothy Mikeska, opened Seton Medical Center, Williamson
Survivor, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma

PERSONAL:

3 Incredibly Talented Children
4 Grandchildren
Lifetime Resident of Taylor
Lifetime Member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Taylor Texas

Tim Mikeska's paternal grandparents, Mikeska and Valis, immigrated from the old Czech land of Moravia in the 1880's. His maternal great grandparents, Marshall and Hood, came to Texas many years before. Their history dates back to the 16th century in America. The Mikeska Family had 9 children who were all raised in the Taylor Texas area. They went on to make history as "The First Family of Texas Barbecue" Being the son of Rudy and Joy Marshall Mikeska allowed Tim to learn a whole host of skills. Butchery, BBQ and Catering from his dad, and Food Service, Cooking and Golf from his mom. In 2010 Tim qualified for the PGA Bridgestone Senior Series profession golf tour. In 2015, Tim Mikeska was inducted into the Meat Cutters Club of America Hall of Fame. In 2021 he was chosen for the BBQ Central Hall of Fame.

2020 Personal Update

In 2020, I turned 60.  A milestone I didn’t think I would reach.  With renewed energy, I refocused my private life to support great causes.  My hometown, Taylor Texas is very dear to my heart.  I love to support a community that my family has been a part of for over 130 years.  I have used my skills in social media marketing and as a pilot to show the world how special my hometown is.  Since 2018, over 250,000 people have viewed my aerial photography of events in my hometown.   Car Shows, Patriots Day, Music/Food Festivals, Parades, Economic Expansions, Sports Events and Weather Events are examples of my aerial projects.   The fun projects are children’s birthdays when I fly my drones in to play inspirational birthday music.  Even letting my drones “dance” for them!  All recorded for their lifetime of great memories.  My fondness of animals allows my thermal search and rescue drones to look for those unfortunate animals that have lost their way home.  Those same search and rescue specialty drones have also been deployed to find lost children.  Our community has had some tragic events.  I was asked to aerial photograph memorial events and to edit special videography into movies that can be a remembrance of their loved ones.  These services are available free to anyone that requests it.  In 2021 the creation of Mikeska Coastal Services allows me as a United States Coast Guard Licensed Master Captain, to give those less fortunate, a chance to see the beauty of the ocean and learn about the Texas Bay system and to study aquatic life.    Finally, like my parents and grandparents before me, I privately support those in need… financially, spiritually and most importantly, those who are hungry.  In 2023, I became a Command Pilot for AIr Care Alliance - Angel Flight and Pilots N Paws, using my aircraft to benefit those in need of medical and rescue transportation.  Also in 2023, I became a Minister of Livestream and Visual Media for my church.