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Meet the President and Board Members for 2009 – 2010
Bill Christian
President
A graduate of Monahans (Texas) High School, Bill Christian most recently served in the administration of President George W. Bush as the Chief of
Staff of the U.S. Selective Service System. He is a founding partner of Rappahannock Timber Frame Company, a construction firm based in Sperryville,
Virginia. A 1986 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, he served (until December 2006) as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations
in the UT System's Washington, D.C. office for five years.
In 2003, Bill Christian returned to his home in Midland, Texas, to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, in a special election to fill
a vacancy created by the early retirement of then-Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Larry Combest (R-Lubbock).
In addition to working in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, the native West Texan served on the staffs of U.S.
Senators John Tower, Phil Gramm, and U.S. Representative Tom Loeffler, while his last assignment on Capitol Hill was Chief of Staff for Congressman
John Culberson. A graduate of the Naval War College, Bill is a Major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In his spare time, Christian serves
on the Board of Trustees of the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, and he is an alumnus of the Texas Lyceum, an association whose purpose is-among
other things-to identify and develop the next generation of top leadership in the State of Texas. Bill also serves on the Board of Advisors for both
the Gamma Upsilon Chapter (UT Austin) and the Alpha Pi Chapter (George Washington University) of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity, while also
representing TKE in the Capital Fraternal Caucus in Washington, D.C.
Bill's hobbies include marathon running, coaching a softball team (The RBIs of Texas), and serving as a Commissioner in the U.S. Senate Softball League.
The Honorable Silvestre Reyes
1st Vice President
Congressman Silvestre Reyes was first elected to the United States Congress in 1996, becoming the first Hispanic to represent the people of the 16th
District of Texas. On January 6, 2009, Congressman Silvestre Reyes, was sworn into the 111th Congress for a seventh consecutive term in the United
States House of Representatives.
The 16th District of Texas includes the City of El Paso and surrounding communities and lies within the El Paso County boundary. It is located at the
westernmost tip of Texas along the Rio Grande River and across from El Paso's sister city of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. El Paso and Ciudad Juárez
comprise the largest border community in the United States.
Congressman Reyes serves as the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the primary committee in the U.S. House of Representatives
charged with the oversight of the United States Intelligence Community, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Central Intelligence
Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and other executive branch departments and agencies.
Reyes has devoted his life to public service. He first served his country in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1967 - 1969, and served as a helicopter
crew chief. In 1969, he began his career with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), now known as Customs and Border Protection (CBP),
in the U.S. Border Patrol. In 1984, Reyes was named Sector Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, and managed operations in McAllen and El Paso, Texas from 1984 to 1995.
Known as "Silver" to his friends, Reyes retired in December 1995 after 26 1/2 years with the Border Patrol and in was elected the following year to
represent the people of the 16th District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives.
Reyes was born and raised in Canutillo, Texas, just five miles outside the El Paso city limits. Reyes holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from El Paso
Community College and attended the University of Texas at Austin and El Paso. He is married to Carolina Gaytan Reyes, and they have three children: Monica, Rebecca
and Silvestre, Jr. He is also the proud grandfather of Amelia, Mateo Silvestre, Julian, and Orlando.
Doug Centilli
2nd Vice President
Doug Centilli began public service in Austin as a legislative assistant for then State Representative Mike Jackson. He was next tapped to work in the administration
of Governor Bill Clements as Special Assistant where he worked on numerous issues with a heavy emphasis on criminal justice.
Following his service with Governor Clements, Doug became Chief of Staff for State Representative Kevin Brady where he was involved in legislation ranging from child
abuse prevention and school finance to economic development.
Kevin Brady was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 and he again called upon Doug to serve as his Chief of Staff in Washington, a position he has held
ever since. In his capacity as Chief of Staff, Doug has had the opportunity to negotiate and help shape pivotal legislative goals for Congressman Brady including playing
an instrumental role in the restoring the state sales tax deduction that allows Texans to deduct their state and local sales taxes from their federal income tax bill.
Additionally, Doug also spearheaded many important projects including leading negotiations on the legislation that created university centers of excellence for homeland
security research within the Department of Homeland Security and participating as a principal architect of the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine.
Doug currently serves as a director of the Texas Lyceum, Texas's premier leadership incubator and is serving on the board of Perfect Attendance – a public-private
initiative that combines the strengths of the schools, the business community, community organizations, the media, celebrities and entertainers to reward students to stay in
school and to graduate from high school. Doug has also served on the board of the Texas leadership institute and is an alumnus of the John Ben Sheppard leadership institute.
Doug is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he was also a member of the Aggie Football Team.
Bob Mansker
Secretary
Bob has been a member of the Texas State Society since 1979. He has served as Historian (1987-88; 1989-90; 2005-07); and Treasurer from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, he
served two consecutive unexpired terms on the Board in 2003 and 2004. He graduated from The University of Texas (Austin) with a BBA in 1965; he then went on to pursue
two degrees at Texas A&M University (Canyon, MBA 1966, and Commerce, EdD 1975). Bob was the youngest staff member on the Hill when he came to Washington to serve on
the staff of Congressman John Dowdy (D-TX) 1963-64. During that period he briefly lived in Athen, where he assisted in running the district office for the congressman.
He taught business courses at Grayson County Community College in Dennison, Texas, prior to working on his doctorate.
He served in the Texas House of Representatives as the Administrative Assistant to Representative Smith E. Gilley of Greenville. Bob served as Democratic County Chairman
of Hunt County, and was elected to the State Democratic Executive Committee in 1976 and re-elected in 1978, serving the 2nd Senatorial District of Texas. Bob managed the
successful campaign for former Congressman Jim Mattox, and helped conduct the successful campaign of former Congressman Martin Frost, prior to his return to Washington in
1979 as the Press Secretary in the congressman's office. In 1993 Frost named him Staff Director (Majority) for the Subcommittee on Accounts within the full House
Administration Committee. Additionally, he served as Staff Director for the House Commission on Fair Employment Standards, a bipartisan group to handle employees' complaints.
Bob became the Minority Staff Director for the Joint Committee on Printing, and in late 1997 he was appointed as Deputy Public Printer of the United States, serving at the U.S.
Government Printing Office until 2003. In 1994, he was awarded the "Outstanding Achievement Award" for his work at the GPO by the new Republican Public Printer.
Since his departure from federal service, Bob has served as the Secretary to the Fairfax County, VA Board of Equalization, where he continues to serve. Additionally, he serves
as the Chief Election Officer for his local precinct in each election. In his spare time, Bob directs bridge activities (cards) for several cruise ships on voyages throughout
the world.
Jennifer Daniels
Treasurer
Jennifer Daniels was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in the northern suburb of Farmers Branch. A first generation Texan and Aggie, Jennifer is the proudest member of the
Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2000, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in mathematics. She returned for post-graduate study at the
George Bush School of Government and Public Service in 2003 receiving a Certificate in Advanced International Affairs. Jennifer began her career as a Math Teacher, but after
several years of political experience at the local and state level, moved to Washington, DC in 2004.
Most recently, Jennifer served in the Bush Administration at the Department of State. As Special Assistant to then Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,
Karen Hughes, Jennifer traveled to 10 countries in less than a year's time. At the beginning of 2008, Jennifer moved to the Bureau of Legislative Affairs as Legislative
Management Officer covering House Affairs.
On Capitol Hill, Jennifer has worked in the communications office of the Committee on Education and Workforce for then Chairman John Boehner (OH-08) and as scheduler and
office manager for fellow Aggie, Congressman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05).
Jennifer lives on Capitol Hill with her husband of eight years, Gavin (Texas A&M class of '99 and '04), and their Jack Russell Terrier, Sarge. In November 2008, the
family gained a beautiful new addition, Emily Helen. Jennifer spends most of her time taking care of baby, but also sings with the Capitol Hill Chorale and is active at
her parish, St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Lindsey Mask
Historian
Lindsey Mask is currently the Communications Director for U.S. Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon of California. She also splits some of her time with the U.S. House Education
& Labor Committee as the Director of Outreach. Mask joined McKeon's staff about three ˝ years ago where she helps drive the GOP message by building coalitions working with
California and national media. Last year, Mask took a hiatus from Capitol Hill to serve as the Associate Director of Network and Cable television for the 2008 Republican National
Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Texas native previously worked as press secretary for Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona and at the state level where she worked for the
Texas House and Senate and as speechwriter for Texas Commissioner of Education, Shirley Neeley. Preceding her days as a political flack, Mask was a television news anchor/reporter
for an ABC affiliate in Michigan. Mask holds a Bachelor of Arts (double major) in Mass Communication and Speech Communication from Texas State University - San Marcos.
Directors with Terms Expiring in 2010
Don Carlson
Director with Term Expiring April 2010
Don Carlson is a managing director in the Washington National Tax Services office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He joined PwC in 2001 when he retired from Capitol Hill
after 35 years working for House Members. For 30 years, he served on the staff of Congressman Bill Archer, representing Houston's 7th Congressional District. He was a
Legislative Assistant/Director from 1971 to 1988 and Chief of Staff from 1988 to 2001. In early 2001, he served as Chief of Staff to Congressman John Culberson, also of
Houston's 7th District.
Don earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the School of International Service at The American University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Reserve from 1970 to 1976.
Don and his wife, Julia, reside in Derwood, Maryland. Julia also served on the staffs of Congressman Bill Archer and John Culberson. They have 2 sons – Eric who resides
in Houston and Scott who resides in Rockville, Maryland.
The Honorable Mike Conaway
Director with Term Expiring April 2010
Serving in his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Mike Conaway has earned the reputation as "a voice of reason" in Washington. Mike
represents the 11th Congressional District of Texas consisting of 36 counties in Central and West Texas including Midland, Odessa and San Angelo.
Mike's background as a CPA has given him the credibility to be a vocal proponent in reducing the national debt. Mike believes it is time for Congress to make "tough
choices" and has authored "No New Programs" legislation to change the House rules on spending to require that the creation of any new federal program be
joined with the elimination of an existing federal program of equal or greater cost. Mike has also advocated for a simpler and fairer tax system in Congress and has sponsored
legislation that would bring more accountability in government funding. Mike demonstrated leadership in numerous policy areas and currently serves as a Deputy Republican Whip
in the 111th Congress.
Mike currently serves on the House Agriculture, Intelligence, Armed Services, and Ethics Committees. As a member of the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, he supports
the goals of the Global War against Islamic Jihadist and our young men and women in the armed forces. He understands the sacrifices that are being made by our troops and their
families.
On the Agriculture Committee, Mike is working to protect the interests of rural America and the American farmer. He has been named the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on
Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture and looks forward to promoting the needs of rural America in Congress.
A native Texan, Mike grew up in Odessa and graduated from Odessa Permian High School in 1966 after playing on Permian's first state championship football team. He earned a BBA
degree in Accounting from Texas A & M University-Commerce in 1970.
After serving in the Army at Fort Hood, Mike resumed his career with Price Waterhouse & Co. he returned to the Permian Basin with Price Waterhouse and settled in Midland
where he later worked with George W. Bush as the Chief Financial Officer for Bush Exploration. Mike developed a lasting friendship with President Bush as together they learned
what it takes to run a business.
An ordained deacon in the Baptist Church, Mike and Suzanne have four children and seven grandchildren.
Craig Felner
Director with Term Expiring April 2010
Since 2002, Craig Felner has been Valero Energy's Director of Government Affairs and head of their Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Valero,
Craig worked in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs for President George W. Bush. Previous to his working in the White House, Craig spent six
years working for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison focusing on environment and natural resource policy.
Craig hails from Spring, Texas and attended Texas Christian University where he received a degree in Political Science. He is married to another Texan,
Diana (Arlington). They reside in Vienna, Virginia and have two boys, Grayson and Reeve.
Ed Perez (past president)
Director with Term Expiring April 2010
A seventh generation Texan, 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, D.C. 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, Virginia with his wife and two children. Ed joined the Texas State Society in the late 80s, became a board member in 2003, and
served as President of the Texas State Society for the April 2007 – April 2008 term. Ed served as chairman of the Texas State Society's 2009 Black
Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on January 19, 2009. He continues on the TSS Board as past
president for the April 2009 – April 2010 term.
Jenny Sheffield
Director with Term Expiring April 2010
Jenny Sheffield was born on May 27, 1977 and grew up in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation from high school, she enrolled at the United States Naval Academy,
in Annapolis, Maryland. She later transferred to Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, and graduated in 1999 with a degree in Nutritional Sciences. She
currently resides in Washington, DC.
Jenny joined the office of Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) in January 2000, after completing an internship in the office of Congressman Ruben Hinojosa
(D-TX). During her service in Congressman Sessions' office, Jenny held various positions. In May 2004 she left to join the American Council of Engineering
Companies as their PAC Director. She held that position until March 2005, when she joined the National Republican Congressional Committee under Chairman
Tom Reynolds (R-NY). At the NRCC, she served as PAC Director and worked as the committee's liaison to the business community. In January 2007, Jenny moved
to the other side of Capitol Hill and worked as the PAC Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee under Chairman John Ensign (R-NV). In
December of 2008, she traveled back to the House side and is back at the NRCC holding the Deputy Finance Director position under the leadership of Chairman
Pete Sessions, who was her first boss in Washington!
Jenny has volunteered for several charitable organizations, and has held several leadership positions on a variety of community organizations, including:
Taste of the South; Junior League of Washington; Alzheimer's Association; and Everybody Wins. She is currently Chairman of Taste of the South – an
organization focused on helping various Southern and DC charities. Additionally, she has held a position on the Special Events Committee at the Capitol Hill
Club and was on the host committee for Steeplechasers at the annual Fall Gold Cup.
Jenny has also volunteered for several political committees, including: Sessions for Congress; People for Enterprise; Trade and Economic Growth (Congressman
Sessions' Leadership PAC); Shelley Moore Capito for Congress; Bush/Cheney 2000; Bush/Cheney 2004; Republican National Convention 2004; and the Presidential
Inaugural Committee 2001 and 2005.
Hannah Simone
Director with Term Expiring April 2010
Hannah Simone is Senior Director of Political Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute, where her responsibilities include managing the political programs and
messaging for the Institute to Members of Congress and the administration. The Nuclear Energy Institute represents 270 members with a broad spectrum of interests
including nuclear fuel cycle companies, suppliers, engineering and consulting firms, national research laboratories and universities.
Prior to joining NEI, Ms. Simone was with the Edison Electric Institute for nine and a half years directing a number of EEI's political and governmental affairs
programs, as well as lobbying issues directly related to the electric utility industry.
From 1992 – 1996, Ms. Simone served in the Clinton Administration in several capacities; from 1992 – 1994, she was the Deputy National Finance Director
for the Democratic National Committee, where she coordinated fundraising events around the country with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. From 1994
– 1996, she worked as a political appointee at the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. At the CPSC she served as a Special Assistant to Chairman
Ann Brown as well as in the office of Public Affairs to coordinate media efforts related to recall and public safety campaigns.
Ms. Simone is a member of the Board of Directors of several organizations including the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC); Horton's
Kids; and is the DC Finance Co-Chair for the Creative Coalition.
A native of Beaumont, Texas, Ms. Simone began her career in Washington, D.C., in the office of Congressman Jack Brooks (D-9-TX) in 1986. During her six-year tenure, she
served as an intern, caseworker and legislative director. She left Congressman's office to join the Clinton campaign staff in May of 1992.
Directors with Terms Expiring in 2011
LaKeitha Anderson
Director with Term Expiring April 2011
LaKeitha Anderson a native Texan from the Oak Cliff area of Dallas began her public service as a legislative assistant for Texas State Representative Helen Giddings.
She next went to work in the Texas Senate as an Assistant Sargeant-at-Arm during the 75th Texas Legislature.
Following her work with the Texas State Senate, she returned to the office of Texas State Representative Helen Giddings where she worked on legislation ranging from
education enrichment and school finance to economic development. Most notably was her work on the "Read to Succeed" legislation that advanced then Governor
George Bush's Texas reading initiative goals.
Shortly after leaving public service, LaKeitha entered into the legal field; working for prominent Texas law firms, such as Patton Boggs, Jenkens & Gilchrist and
later Crowell & Moring in Washington, DC after relocating here in 2000. She later worked on the U.S. Senate campaign of former City of Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk.
Most recently, LaKeitha worked as the Federal Government Relations Coordinator for the City of Dallas. LaKeitha currently is a Senior Manager of Federal Government
Relations for Reynolds American Inc., where she is responsible for advancing the corporations legislative objectives.
LaKeitha is a graduate of the University of North Texas where she was an active member of the Student Government, NAACP, Phi Alpha Delta and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Senator John Cornyn (Immediate Past President)
Director with Term Expiring April 2011
In 2008, Texans overwhelmingly re-elected Senator John Cornyn to represent them for a second six-year term in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Cornyn was first elected to the
Senate in 2002 and previously served in Texas as a district judge, a member of the Texas Supreme Court, and as Texas Attorney General.
During his first term in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Cornyn distinguished himself as a leader in the Senate on a variety of issues important to Texans and has earned a
national reputation as an articulate and powerful voice for conservative values in Washington. Sen. Cornyn currently sits on the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Budget
Committees. Sen. Cornyn served as a member of the Deputy Whip team after just one year in office, and has been a member of the Republican Senate leadership since 2006.
He has served as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and was chosen in November 2008 by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the National
Republican Senatorial Committee.
Sen. Cornyn was born in Houston on February 2, 1952, and was raised in San Antonio. He is the son of John and Gale Cornyn, both native Texans. His father, a B-17
pilot in World War II, served for 31 years in the U.S. Air Force and, later, taught at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. A graduate of
Trinity University and St. Mary's School of Law, both in San Antonio, Sen. Cornyn also earned a Masters of Law from the University of Virginia Law School in 1995.
He was named the St. Mary's Distinguished Law School Graduate in 1994 and a Trinity University Distinguished Alumnus in 2001.
Sen. Cornyn is married to Sandy, his wife of 29 years. They have two daughters.
Marc Gonzales
Director with Term Expiring April 2011
Marc Gonzales is a native of Ozona, Texas and a 1991 graduate of Angelo State University.
He began his political career working for Robert Junell and Yvonne Davis in the Texas House of Representatives. Gonzales moved to Washington to work in the Texas
Office of State-Federal Relations during the administration of Governor Ann W. Richards. Marc then spent almost nine years on the staff of U.S. Representative Gene
Green, spending the last seven years as his Administrative Assistant.
Marc is currently the Vice President for Congressional Affairs at the United States Telecom Association and previously worked in a similar capacity for the Air
Transport Association of America.
Marc is married to Odessa native Karissa Willhite, the Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. Karissa and Marc enjoy traveling, and they live in the
Washington, DC-neighborhood of Brookland with their 15-year old cat, Pancho, where they proudly fly their Texas flag on State holidays. They have been members of the
Texas State Society since 1993.
The Honorable Charles Gonzalez
Director with Term Expiring April 2011
Charles A. Gonzalez is currently in his sixth term in the United States Congress as the Representative from the 20th Congressional District of Texas.
Congressman Gonzalez is a member of the New Democrat Coalition and serves as the 1st Vice-Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Currently a Senior
Democratic Whip, Congressman Gonzalez has served as a Texas Regional Whip for the Democratic Caucus and as Chair of the Hispanic Caucus Civil Rights Task
Force since 1999.
In the 111th Congress, Congressman Gonzalez serves on the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, and House Administration.
Congressman Gonzalez previously served on the Select Committee on Homeland Security, Small Business, and the House Financial Services Committee. In the
110th Congress, he served as Chairman of a special task force investigating the contested 2006 election in Florida's 13th Congressional District.
Congressman Gonzalez is also a Member of several Congressional Task Forces and Caucuses including: Education, Financial Services, Business and Economic
Development, and Telecommunications; and the 21st Century Health Care Caucus, the Homeland Security Caucus, the Port Security Caucus, the Air Force Caucus,
the Infrastructure and Transportation Caucus, and the Missing and Exploited Children Caucus.
Debra McKeown
Director with Term Expiring April 2011
Debra McKeown hails from Fort Worth and received her Bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She is the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas H. Law. Tom Law taught English Literature and Shakespeare at UT and served on the UT Board of Regents. Debra has worked in the Office of Speaker
Jim Wright, for Texas Rep. Pete Geren, and the Texas National Research Laboratory Commission. In addition to volunteering her time as a church elder, a PTA
officer, and Girl Scout leader, Debra previously served on the TSS Board in 1992-1994. She enjoys running, hiking, reading, gardening and has traveled
extensively with family and friends. She lives in Alexandria with her husband and two daughters.
Jack Peterson
Director with Term Expiring April 2011
Since January 1995 Jack has served as Federal Liaison for Harris County and works to protect the interests of the citizens of Harris County and the constituents
of the Harris County Flood Control District.
Born in Beaumont, Jack grew up in Houston, where he graduated from Spring Branch High School and then from the University of Texas at Austin. There he began his
career in the legislative process and politics working at the Texas Capitol and lived in Texas until 1989 when he moved to Washington D.C. and later that year to
Arlington County, Virginia.
Jack was Director, Political Affairs, for the National Association of Manufacturers when he first moved to the nation's capitol and Director, Political Education
at the Texas Hospital Association, in Austin before that. Prior to that, he held several positions with the Texas Legislature.
Jack is the proud father of Michael and Charlie Peterson who attend Taylor Elementary and Yorktown High School respectively in Arlington. They mark their
accomplishments each year on the zip line, climbing wall and the number of hotdogs they can eat at the annual TSS Father's Day Picnic.
Board Positions
Barry Brown
Congressional Liaison
Barry is a fifth generation Texan from Greenville and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University. Following graduation, 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 was Vice President with the lobbying firm the Alpine Group before taking his current post as Chief of Staff for Congressman Michael C. Burgess, MD. He is
past-President of the National Board of Directors for the Texas Tech Alumni Association and currently serves on the National Board of Directors for the Red Raider Club.
The TSS has been a family tradition. His grandparents and mother were active members of TSS in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, making Barry a third generation member of the
TSS. He is also married to former TSS Board Member, Jennifer Brown, and they have a son, Leighton, and a daughter, Gipson (making them fourth generation TSS members).
Brittany Eck
Entertainment Chair
Brittany Eck grew up in Dallas and now calls Arp, Texas (on East Lake Tyler) home. She attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas before graduating with a degree in Political
Science from Texas A&M University.
Brittany has more than seven years of experience working in the Legislative Branch of our federal government. Recently Brittany completed an appointment as the Deputy
Director of Public Affairs for the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this position she was a member of the Silver Medal winning
team for organizing and directing press operations for the Americas Competitiveness Forum, an international conference of more than 1,000 attendees.
Prior to joining the Department of Commerce, Brittany served as the Communications Director for Congressman Henry Bonilla where she managed media coverage of district,
legislative and House Committee on Appropriations policies. Before switching to the House side, Brittany served two years in the press shop of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
During her tenure with Sen. Hutchison, she worked on a broad array of legislative issues and projects in an effort to communicate Senator Hutchison's tireless efforts on
behalf of the resident's of the Lone Star State.
Brittany's first job on Capitol Hill was in the Office of the Speaker, Dennis J. Hastert. She assisted with numerous special events on Capitol Hill including the 2004
State of the Union Address, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's address to a Joint Meeting of the U.S. Congress, the 2003 September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, Gold Medal
Ceremonies and statue dedications. Prior to moving to D.C., Brittany lived in Houston working for both U.S. Senator Phil Gramm and the Tom Reiser for Congress Campaign,
while actively engaging in Southeast Texas politics.
Brittany is currently working on her thesis for a Masters Degree in Communications at Johns Hopkins University. Her classes have included studies in emergency and risk
communications, strategic public affairs, and pitching story ideas. She has also studied international communications such as media in the Arab world and studied British
public affairs at the University of Westminster in London. The topic of her thesis is a study of the types of negative political advertising employed during the 2008 U.S.
Senate races.
Brittany hopes to soon return to Texas to apply the professional and education experience she has been fortunate to gain while here in D.C.
Lois Auer
Executive Secretary
Lois has been associated with the Texas State Society and Capitol Hill for 30-plus years. Working on Capitol Hill for former Congressman Charles W. Stenholm
(17th District) and for Stenholm's predecessor, Omar Burleson, has given her valuable experience assisting TSS members with various requests. She is a past
member of the TSS Board and was actively involved with the 1986 Sesquicentennial Ball and the '89, '93, '01 and now the 2009 Black Tie and Boots (BT&B)
balls. She is a native of Runge, Texas (population 1,092).
For the past several years she has enjoyed being a volunteer reading tutor in a local elementary school. She and her husband, Art, continue to enjoy their
square dance and round dance activities as well as gardening and traveling.
Gerardo Interiano
Membership Chair
Gerardo Interiano's family is from El Salvador, but came to Texas as fast as they could. He grew up in Houston but lived in Austin for ten years before moving to
Washington, DC. He currently serves as Legislative Director and Counsel to U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary.
Before moving to Washington D.C., he was District Director for the Congressman in Texas. Gerardo served in the 80th Legislative Session of the Texas Legislature
as an Appointments Manager in Governor Rick Perry's Administration. Prior to his experience with the Governor, he was the Chief Committee Clerk of the House
Appropriations Committee, working under the leadership of both Chairman Jim Pitts and Chairman Warren Chisum.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a Minor in Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003. After graduating with his Doctor of Jurisprudence
degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 2006, he served as Campaign Manager for Congressman Smith during the 2006 Election Cycle.
Gerardo is married to Aynsley Interiano of Dallas, Texas. Aynsley is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and works at Epiphany Productions, a fundraising
and consulting firm where she works with several members of the Texas Congressional Delegation. They have a black lab named Beau, who enjoys playing fetch at Lincoln Park.
Marissa McCord
Newsletter Editor
Marissa McCord is a native of the small town of Tahoka, Texas. She currently works as the Legislative Assistant/Legislative Correspondent for Congressman Randy
Neugebauer of Texas. In this capacity, Marissa manages all constituent correspondence as well as advises the Congressman on social policy and education issues
and staffs the Values Action Team and the Congressional Prayer Caucus for the Congressman.
In addition, Marissa is currently Vice President of Congressional Legislative Staffers Association – an organization which is a nonpartisan, professional
organization dedicated to providing increased professional opportunities to the legislative staff of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The organization,
which currently has about 500 members, serves as the public face of congressional staff.
Marissa attended Texas State University and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration. Marissa has been a member of
the Texas State Society since she was an intern here in Washington D.C.
Bethany Scully
Public Relations Chair
Bethany (Smith) Scully grew up in Dalworthington Gardens, Texas. She is currently the Director of Administration and Scheduling for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Previously, she worked for Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri as his scheduler.
Bethany graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Child Study and Language Development and a teaching certificate
in elementary education. This is coupled with a political science minor. Bethany received her Masters in Public Policy, with an emphasis in International Studies,
in May 2007 from George Mason University.
Since arriving in D.C., Bethany has been an active member of the Junior League of Washington, D.C. and The Campagna Center in Alexandria, VA. Bethany and her husband,
Chris, live in Falls Church, Virginia. She has been a TSS member since 2003.
Brian Haley
Sponsorship Chair
Brian Haley currently serves as the finance director for Country First PAC, chaired by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Friends of John McCain, Senator McCain's reelection
campaign to the U.S. Senate. Brian also spent two years as the Deputy National Finance Director for John McCain 2008. In this position, he helped devise and execute a
national fundraising strategy that resulted in the most successful fundraising efforts ever for a Republican presidential candidate to date (over $450 million raised).
Prior to his service on the McCain Campaign, Brian was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve as the first student member on the University of Texas System's
Board of Regents. Brian has also worked for Dell, Inc. in Xiamen, China where he implemented key corporate customer initiatives for Dell's China and Hong Kong business
markets. Brian has also worked for Public Strategies, the International Trade Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Congressman John Carter, and Smith Barney.
Brian served as the Student Government President of the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in Asian Studies.
Brian is finishing his law degree and plans to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law within the year. In addition to his professional and
educational experience he has spent time volunteering for political and charitable organizations in India, Zambia, Brazil, Israel and Russia. Brian considers Denton, TX home
and his family and twin sister still live there.
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