Bill Shute
President                                           

Bill has been a member of the Texas State Society Board of Directors since 1999, and serves as the Society's Annual Golf Tournament Chair. He and his wife, Zelda, have been active in the Society since their arrival in Washington in 1987. Bill is currently Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations for the University of Texas System. Prior to this position, Bill was Senior Vice President for R. Duffy Wall & Associates in Washington. Prior to joining RDWA, Bill spent eleven years with SBC Communications in its Washington office.

Representative Kay Granger
1st Vice President

Kay Granger is the first Republican woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas. Originally elected in 1996, she is also the first woman and first Republican to represent District 12 in the House in a century.

A lifelong resident of Fort Worth, Granger served as the city's mayor from 1991-1995, where she was a strong voice for local control and citizen empowerment. During her tenure, Mayor Granger assembled innovative private sector-public sector partnerships to reduce violent crime by 49 percent and attract new businesses, including Federal Express, Motorola and the Texas Motor Speedway. Mayor Granger's success was recognized when Fort Worth received the prestigious "All-America City" award from the National Civic League. Granger's work in conceiving and developing diverse economic development, anti-crime, and citizen empowerment programs received national attention. She brings this practical experience to Congress in fostering local control and renewed civic responsibility.

Kay Granger is also a former school teacher and a leader in Congress for improving education. Granger founded, owns and still operates a successful insurance agency. Her experience in starting a small business has made Granger a strong proponent for the rights of small business men and women.

Congresswoman Granger received her B.S. Magna Cum Laude and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Wesleyan University. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church and is the mother of three grown children.

Scott Styles
2nd Vice President

Mr. Styles joined Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti, Hawkins and Brain, Inc. (BBCH&B) in April 2001. He came to BBCH&B from the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) where he was the Executive Director for Legislative Affairs. His primary responsibilities at AAHP were to work with the House leadership, House Committee on Way and Means, House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Education and Workforce Committee, and the Bush Administration on healthcare issues. He also provided strategic legislative advice to AAHP management and member plans.

Prior to joining AAHP, Mr. Styles served in the U.S. House of Representatives where he was Chief of Staff to Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). As the Congressman's chief policy and political advisor, he developed and implemented all policy objectives, strategies, and operating plans for the office. He managed and directed a 16 person staff and coordinated special legislative projects related to healthcare, energy and financial services issues.

Previously, Mr. Styles was the Washington Representative for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APCI), a Fortune 500 industrial gas, chemical, and energy and environmental systems corporation. He represented over 15,000 worldwide employees before Members of Congress and the Executive Branch on a variety of energy, environment, health, labor, tax and trade issues.

From 1990-1993, Mr. Styles served in the first Bush Administration as a legislative advisor for Secretary of State James A. Baker III.  During that period, he worked on the Administration's legislative agenda related to international environmental and scientific issues, international organizations and the advice and consent process on all treaties sent to the U.S. Senate. He was also part of the U.S. delegation to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. He continues to build on the relationships developed during the first Bush Administration as many fellow Texans and former colleagues return to the current Bush Administration.

Before joining the Bush Administration, Mr. Styles lived in Austin, Texas and worked for the Texas Railroad Commission where he focused on oil and gas issues. While in Austin, he received a B.A. degree in government from the University of Texas.

Jennifer Boice
Secretary (appointed by the President)

Jennifer grew up in Austin and San Antonio. She began her education at Texas Tech University and finished at the University of Utah with a B.S. in Behavioral Science. Upon graduation, she moved to Pennsylvania and worked for Allstate Insurance Company. Jennifer relocated to Washington in 1999 to work for Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, from the 20th district in San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, she joined the Texas State Society and later served as Co-chair of the Texas Fair Committee for Black Tie and Boots 2001. Jennifer is a member of the Junior League of Washington, DC and serves on the Bright Beginnings Committee. She is employed with Greenberg Traurig in the Legislative Affairs Department.

Bill Christian
Treasurer (appointed by the President)

Bill grew up in Monahans, Texas, and Venezuela. Although stationed in Washington, he now calls Midland home. He is currently employed as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations for The University of Texas System, working in the System's Washington, D.C.-based Office of Federal Relations with the Society's First Vice President, Bill Shute.  Prior to his current posting, Bill Christian had served as Chief of Staff to Congressman John Culberson (Texas 7th), after leaving the Office of U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, where he had been serving as Administrative Assistant for State Affairs. Bill is a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, as well as softball coach for The RBIs of Texas, the U.S. Senate softball league team fielded by present and former staffers of Senators Gramm and Hutchison. He served in the administration of the first President Bush as Speechwriter for the Secretary of the Navy. Previously, Bill worked for Senator John Tower and Congressman Tom Loeffler, as well as serving as an Intern in the Reagan White House. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1986 with a B.A. in Government and also graduated from the Naval War College in 1995.

Barry is a fifth generation Texan from Greenville and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University in 1989. In 1991, he moved to Washington, D.C. to work for House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-Lubbock) and later served as Legislative Director to Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) and Chief of Staff to Rep. Kay Granger (R- Fort Worth). Barry is currently Vice President with the professional lobbying firm the Alpine Group. He serves on the National Board of Directors for the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association and is also a reading partner in the Everybody Wins reading program at John Tyler Elementary in Washington, DC. The TSS has been a family tradition. His grandparents and mother were active members of TSS in the 1950s, making Barry a third generation member of the TSS. He is also married to former TSS Board Member Jennifer Brown, Administrative Assistant to Rep. Lamar Smith of San Antonio. Barry's hobbies include running, collecting political memorabilia and reading.

C.H. “Bud” Albright, Jr. is vice president-federal relations for Reliant Energy. Previously, he served as an Assistant U. S. Attorney, as Chief Oversight Counsel to House Commerce Committee Chair Tom Bliley, as Deputy General Counsel at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice. Albright also served as counsel for a number of congressional committees including the committee investigating the Iran-Contra affair and as a personal aide to Senator Strom Thurmond.  A native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Albright earned his Juris Doctor from the George Mason University School of Law. He also worked as a legislative aide to the Judiciary Committee of the U. S. Senate while pursuing his law degree.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College.

Born and raised in the Lone Star State, Roy has spent most of his adult life in politics, much of it concentrated in the Administration of then Texas Governor George W. Bush .  He served as Austin Director of the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations for four years in Governor Bush’s Administration, spending a great deal of time working closely with members of both the Texas Legislature and the Texas Congressional Delegation.  Roy also previously served the President as Deputy Campaign Manager during Mr. Bush’s successful election campaign for Governor in 1994.  Prior to attending law school in California, Roy served in several capacities for two years on Vice President George Bush’s 1988 presidential campaign and following law school returned to politics, serving as Executive Director of the George Bush for President Campaign in Arizona.  A graduate of the University of Texas, he is now a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm of O’Connor & Hannan LLP.

Michael is currently the Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the Department of Health & Human Services.  Most recently, Michael served as General Counsel at the lobbying firm of Meyers & Associates.  Before Meyers & Associates, he held positions with Congressman Jerry Lewis, Congresswoman Kay Granger, Congressman Pete Geren and Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr.  In addition, he held positions in the Government Affairs Office of American Airlines and the State of Texas Senate.  He received his B.B.A. from Texas A&M University in 1994 and his J.D. From Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth in December 1999.

Alisa Malechek Sell 

Alisa grew up on a working Hereford cattle ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Communication and Master of Public Affairs from UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs. Alisa first came to DC in 1988 to work for U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen; she is now a part-time lobbyist for Texas sugarcane farmers and a full time Mom. She and her husband Clay (from Amarillo) live in NW DC with their 3 1/2 year old son John Clay (Jack).

Jim Turner was elected in 1996 to represent the Second Congressional District.  A longtime fiscal conservative, he is a member of the “Blue Dog” Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition, groups of moderate and conservative Democrats whose leadership helped enact the first balanced federal budget in 29 years.  Jim serves on the Armed Services and Government Reform Committees, and he is the ranking Democrat on the Government Management, Information, and Technology Subcommittee. Before his election to Congress, Jim served for six years in the Texas Senate and four years in the Texas House.  In the Senate, Jim was recognized as an outstanding legislator by a number of statewide organizations.  Jim also served as Chairman of the Texas Commission on Children and Youth and as a member of the Select Committee on Public Education.  In Congress Jim has worked to promote economic development and forestry in East Texas.  He has sponsored legislation to lower prescription drug costs for senior citizens and legislation to implement a national missile defense system for the United States. 

Jim earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.  He served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Captain.  In his hometown of Crockett, Jim served as Mayor and President of the Chamber of Commerce and has been a Deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church.  Jim and his wife, Ginny, have been married for 30 years and have two children.  John, 27, and Susan, 25.

The Honorable Kevin Brady
Immediate Past President

One of five children, Congressman Kevin Brady was born April 11, 1955 in Vermillion, South Dakota and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota.  He earned his spot in Texas political history when he ran four elections for Congress in one year due to redistricting.  He now serves the 8th district which is composed of north Harris, Montgomery, Austin, Brazos, Waller, and Washington counties and is home to Texas A&M University.  Congressman Brady and his wife Cathy attend Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church in The Woodlands.  Prior to his election to Congress in 1996, Congressman Brady served six years in the Texas House of Representatives. 

The Honorable Chris Bell

Began Service: 2003
Date of Birth: November 23, 1959
Education: Texas 1982 BA, 1992 JD
Home: Houston
Religion: Episcopalian
Career: City Councilman, Houston, TX; Television/Radio Reporter; Counsel, Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, LLP, 1992-present

Scott Dunaway

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Scott has resided in Washington, D.C. since January of 2001.  Upon his graduation from Texas Christian University, Scott accepted a position with Representative Kevin Brady of The Woodlands and continues to serve the Congressman as a Legislative Assistant.  In Washington, Scott enjoys marathon training, spending time with fellow Texans, and traveling back to the Lone Star State for a college football game or long weekend at the Lake Texoma.  Though he has found himself deeply embedded and enjoying life in Washington, he yearns for his return to Texas in the future.

Michael E. Meece

Mike joined the Commerce Department as Deputy Chief of Staff in February of 2001.  Between 1996 and 2001, he practiced law in the Washington office of King & Spalding and also co-founded a small venture-backed staffing firm based in New York City.  Previously, he worked for RNC Chairman Haley Barbour and in the policy office of Governor George W. Bush.  He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in 1990 and a J.D. in 1996.

Ed Perez

Ed grew up in Corpus Christi.  He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.  After graduation in 1981, he worked in the field of community development for the City of Austin and Fairfax County, Virginia.  In 1991, he began working for the State of Texas at the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations (OSFR) in Washington, DC and now serves as executive director.  He was selected by Governor Rick Perry to serve as Acting Executive Director of OSFR in June 2001 and was initially appointed to the post of Executive Director in June of 2002.  He was confirmed by the Texas State Senate in March of 2003 during the Texas Legislature’s regular session.  Ed lives in Alexandria with his wife and two children.

Michael Wilson Young 

In February, 2003, Michael joined the Government Relations office for Dell Computer Corporation.  In addition running State and Local government relations, he manages all relationships with Members of Congress and their staff. His issues include: Digital Rights Management (piracy), privacy, education and diversity.  Michael administers the federal Political Action Committee.

Prior to joining Dell, Michael was the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, Science Committee and Select Committee on Homeland Security.   Michael was an aide to Congressman Smith for seven years.

A 5^th generation Texan, Michael graduated from Texas Tech University in 1995 with degrees in Political Science and History.  He is married to Claire Young, also a Texas Tech graduate and Chief Clerk for the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.  They live in Arlington, Virginia.

Robert T. Mansker

TTS  Member since 1979;  Historian  1987 - 88;  1989-90; 
                           Board Member 1998-99.

Press Secretary to Congressman Martin Frost 1979 to 1994

Staff Director (Minority) - Joint Committee on Printing  1995 to 1997

Deputy Public Printer of the U.S. -- 1997 to 2003

Graduate:  The University of Texas - Austin  (BBA)  1965
             Texas A & M University -  Canyon  (MBA)  1966
             Texas A & M University - Commerce  (EdD)  1975

Ken Pittman

Mr. Pittman currently lives in Centreville, VA but is originally from Dallas. Although he lives in Virginia he stays in touch with family in Houston, Ft. Worth, Dallas, and Austin.  He attended The University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelors of Journalism from the School of Communications. He served as Vice President of Sigma Delta Chi journalism society at UT and was active as a KA.   He is also a graduate of the MBA program of Marymount University in Arlington, VA. 

Mr. Pittman is married 17 years and has two boys. 

Julie was born and raised in Huntsville, Texas.  She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Development and came to Washington in the Spring of 1996 to participate in the A&M Agriculture Policy Internship Program.  She worked for Congressman Henry Bonilla as an intern and remained in his office until 1998 before taking a position with Congressman Jerry Lewis from California.  Although she has left the Texas Delegation, Julie remains loyal to her roots by donating her time to promoting Texas through organizations such as Taste of the South and Texas State Society. 

Missy Thomas

Memberships Committee Chair

Lois Auer
Executive Secretary

A native of Runge, Texas, Lois has been associated with the Texas State Society and Capitol Hill for 25 years.  While on Capitol Hill, she worked for Cong. Charles W. Stenholm (17th District) as his Administrative Assistant and for Stenholm's predecessor, Omar Burleson.  Her "Hill" experience has been helpful to TSS members with various requests.  She is a past member of the Board of the TSS and was actively involved with the '86 Sesquicentennial Ball and the '89 and '93 Black Tie and Boots Balls.  Lois and her husband, Art, continue to enjoy square dancing, gardening and traveling.

Rebekah Hamilton
Representative to National Conference of State Societies

Immediately after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Rebekah began working for Congressman Larry Combest in June 1996. Although she cherished working for the people of the 19th District of Texas, a position became available in her hometown Congressman's office, and she began employment with Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) in September 1997. Despite the fact that she has settled into Capitol Hill, Plano is still considered to be home.

Brenna was born and raised in Conroe, TX.  She is a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 1994 where she studied journalism and published the newsletter for the Texas A&M College Republicans.  Brenna worked as a Youth Campaign Coordinator in the Atlanta, GA area during the 1994 elections before coming to Washington, DC the same year.  She spent more almost 6 ½ years working for House Majority Leader Dick Armey (TX-26) both as a press aide and as Political Director of his PAC in 2000.  In January of 2001, she began working for the House Budget Committee where she is currently Communications Director.   Brenna has lived and worked on Capitol Hill for almost 8 years, but her heart is still in Texas where her family still lives.

Gary moved to Washington, D.C. in 1984, planning to spend a year or two seeing all the sights and then go home, if not to Abilene where his family is, to Fort Worth where he graduated from TCU.  Over the years he married Arabella, now Principal Deputy Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia, built a consulting practice specializing in voter databases, enrolled his children India and Mason at the Capitol Hill Day School and bought a house on the Hill.  But he dreams of bluebonnets and pecan trees every night.

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