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Meet the President and Board Members
The Honorable John Cornyn
President
John Cornyn was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. In a short period of time, he earned a national reputation as a forceful and articulate
voice for Texas values. He was selected by his colleagues in December 2006 to be a member of the five-person Republican Senate leadership team
– Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference &ndash the only first-term Senator in recent memory to be so honored.
Senator Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee
on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on both the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee and the
Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee.
As Texas Attorney General from 1999-2002, John Cornyn directed many initiatives vital to the interests of Texas families. Cornyn served for six
years as a District Court Judge in San Antonio before being elected to the Texas Supreme Court in 1990, where he served for seven years.
John 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, John 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.
Senator Cornyn is married to Sandy, his wife of 29 years. They have two daughters, Haley and Danley.
Bill Christian / National Conference of State Societies Liaison
1st Vice President
Bill Christian currently serves 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 (formerly, The Old House Builder, LLC), 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.
Christian previously served as the Co-Chair of the Coalition for National Security Research (CNSR), on the Executive Committee of the Council of
Government Affairs within the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC), on the Executive Committee of The Science
Coalition, and on the Council of Federal Relations for the Association of American Universities (AAU). He 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 Fraternity, while also representing TKE
in the Capital Fraternal Caucus in Washington, D.C.
In his spare time, Christian serves on the Board of Trustees of the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, and he is Vice President for Leadership in
the Texas Lyceum, an association of 96 men and women under the age of 46 whose purposes are–among other things–to identify and develop the
next generation of top leadership in the State of Texas.
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
2nd Vice President
Congressman Silvestre Reyes, now in his sixth term, became the first Hispanic to represent the 16th District of Texas in the U.S. House of
Representatives in 1996.
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.
After serving his country in Vietnam, Reyes decided to devote his life to public service. In 1969, he began his career with the U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) in the U.S. Border Patrol. After serving as an agent, immigration inspector, and instructor at the Border Patrol Academy,
he was named Assistant Regional Commissioner in Dallas, Texas for five years, where he had direct responsibility for administering a budget program
exceeding $100 million for a 13-state area.
Reyes was then promoted to Sector Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol first in McAllen and subsequently in El Paso from 1984 to 1995. Reyes quickly became
known as one of our government's strongest and most effective innovators in border management. In McAllen and El Paso, Reyes initiated forward-thinking
programs such as “Operation Hold the Line,” the Border Patrol's Canine Program, and the Border Patrol's National Anti-Drug School Education Program.
“Hold the Line” continues as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (formerly the INS) strategy for the
entire Southwest border and earned Reyes recognition from the White House, Congress, the Department of Justice and the INS, as well as numerous local,
state, national and international organizations.
Known as "Silver" to his friends, Reyes retired in December 1995 after 26 ½ years with the Border Patrol to run for Congress.
In December 2006, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi selected Reyes to be Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a committee on which
Reyes has served since 2001. The committee drafts the laws that govern, authorizes the funding for, and provides Congressional oversight of the 16 agencies
that comprise the U.S. intelligence community, which includes components of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, State and Energy. Reyes
also serves on the House Armed Services Committee.
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.
David Kelly
Secretary
David Kelly is a life-long Texan and calls McKinney his home. Prior to moving to Washington in 2004, David graduated from Howard Payne University in
Brownwood, Texas with a BS in Political Science and a minor in Public Relations. David currently works at the United States Department of Agriculture
in department’s office of congressional relations. Previously, he worked at the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations and spent two years working
for Senator Hutchison. David and his wife Barbara live in Alexandria.
Bob Mansker
Treasurer
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 date.
He graduated from The University of Texas (Austin) with a BBA in 1965; he then went on to pursue 2 degrees at Texas A&M University (Canyon, MBA
1966, and Commerce, EdD 1975). He served on the staff of Congressman John Dowdy (D-TX) 1963-64, returning to Washington in 1979 as the Press Secretary
to Congressman Martin Frost. In 1993 Frost named him Staff Director (Majority) for the Subcommittee on Accounts within the full House Administration
Committee. In 1995, 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. Since his retirement in 2003, Bob has served as the bridge director
(cards) for several cruise ships on voyages throughout the world.
Jenifer Sarver
Historian
Jenifer Sarver was named Director of Speechwriting for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez, in the fall of 2006. In that capacity she
oversees a team of writers and manages the content of the Department’s website.
Before receiving her political appointment she served as the director of The Archer Center, the home of all Washington, D.C.-based student programs for
The University of Texas System, which was named for retired U.S. Representative, Bill Archer. Previously she served as the chief speechwriter for U.S.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Raised in Texas, Jenifer came to Washington in September 2001, to pursue a career on Capitol Hill. Prior to coming to D.C.,
Jenifer worked in high-technology public relations as a communications and media relations consultant. In the 1996 election cycle Jenifer worked on two
Congressional races, serving as a deputy campaign manager in a primary race, and later as a finance director for another race in the general election.
Jenifer then headed back to school to complete her education while working for Public Strategies in Austin.
Jenifer is a proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with bachelors’ degrees in Journalism and Speech Communication, and received her Master’s
in Public Administration from American University in May 2006. She has served on the Texas State Society board of directors since 2002, and is co-chair of
the Young Women Leaders Board of the Women and Politics Institute at American University. In that capacity she works to expand the role of women in
government and encourage future generations to pursue political careers through WeLEAD, a leadership training program for young women, which she helped
found in 2005. In 2007, Jenifer joined the faculty at AU, teaching topics in political communication as a lecturer.
She is the past co-chair of the steering committee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s 1869 Society, and is active in a number of other charitable and civic
organizations. In 2005, Jenifer successfully completed the Honolulu Marathon and in 2007, completed the Marine Corps Marathon. She is on the Archer Center
Advisory Board and currently serves on the National Public Relations Committee for the Texas Exes, is past president of the Washington D.C. Texas Exes and
enjoys playing flag football and softball with her fellow Longhorns on the National Mall.
Doug Centilli
Director with Term Expiring April 2009
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.
Cathy Gillespie
Director with Term Expiring April 2009
Cathy Gillespie was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Political
Science. Cathy began her political career at Texas A&M, organizing students in a record setting voter registration effort on behalf of then-U.S.
House Candidate Joe Barton. After working in Congressman Barton’s freshman office, Cathy returned to Texas and managed his 1986 re-election campaign,
one of the most competitive in the country.
Cathy served as Barton’s Chief of Staff for a decade, before leaving his congressional office to set up and run his political action committee, the
Texas Freedom Fund. In 2004 Cathy served as Director of the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign’s “W Stands for Women” effort, the campaign’s grassroots
outreach to women. In 2005 Cathy was appointed by President Bush to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Cathy remains an advisor to
Congressman Barton, now Ranking Minority Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She returned to the hill in 2006 to serve as his Acting Chief
of Staff for four months, and is on the board of the Joe Barton Family Foundation, one of many non-profit entities in which she is involved.
Cathy serves on the interim board of the Women Former Students’ Network of Texas A&M University, Bishop Ireton High School Board of Governors and the
school’s Development Committee. She is also involved with the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s Women’s Majority Network, and the Republican
National Committee’s Women’s Outreach Program. Since 2004 Cathy has volunteered and raised funds for many charitable organizations including the Barbara
Bush Literacy Foundation, the Independent Women’s Forum, the ALS Association, and the Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne (FED) Muscular Dystrophy, running
and completing the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon as part of the Feet for FED team. She is a past Chairman of the Republican Women’s Federal Forum and is
active with the Mount Vernon Republican Women, and various activities at St. Louis Catholic School and Bishop Ireton High School, the schools attended by
her children.
She is married to Ed Gillespie, the former Chairman of the Republican National Committee. They have three children: John, 17; Carrie, 15 and Mollie, 11.
The Honorable Gene Green
Director with Term Expiring April 2009
Congressman Gene Green began his public service life at the age of 25. Just having recently graduated from the University of Houston, Congressman Green
believed he could make a difference in the lives of his fellow Houstonians. He believed in his community and he believed he could be their voice. In 1972,
they elected him into the State House of Representatives and in 1985 to the State Senate. After twenty years honorably serving in the Legislature, Gene
Green was elected to the 29th Congressional District of Texas in 1992.
Soon after leaving the Texas Capital to move on to represent the district in our Nation’s Capital, Congressman Gene Green was appointed to the powerful
House Energy and Commerce Committee and currently serves on the following subcommittees: Telecommunications & the Internet, the Environment and
Hazardous Materials, Oversight & Investigations, and Health where he was appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the subcommittee. Green also serves on
the Foreign Affairs Committee where he sits on two subcommittees: the Western Hemisphere, and Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. In addition, Green
sits on the Ethics Committee as a Senior Deputy Whip and Regional Whip Congressman Green also serves as an At-Large Whip for Majority Whip Clyburn.
Throughout his public service career Congressman Gene Green has come to be known as a champion of health care, education and labor issues. He has worked
hard to increase the minimum wage, job training services, access to technology and to reform managed care and provide affordable prescription drug benefits
to seniors.
A native of Houston, Congressman Gene Green was born October 17, 1947 at St. Josephs Hospital. He received a degree in Business Administration from the
University of Houston in 1971. He later attended Bates College of Law at the University of Houston and was admitted as a member of the State Bar of Texas
in 1977.
In January 1970, he married his life long sweetheart, Helen Albers Green, whom he met when they both attended Sunday school. They have two children.
Angela, having received her degree from the University of Texas-Medical Branch (UTMB), now serves as Chief Resident at UTMB; and Christopher who is a
graduate of Texas A&M-Galveston and works as an Environmental Manager in the shipping industry . They have two grandchildren, Lauren Elissa Hewlett
and Dylan Eugene Green. The Greens attend Spring Woods United Methodist Church in Houston.
Being born and raised in the 29th District, Congressman Gene Green is proud of his working class background and understands the needs of his district.
Congressman Green has been involved in a number of issues and projects directly affecting the 29th District. He was instrumental in the revitalization
of the Houston Head Start program, ensuring that this vital program was made available to all children. He has also organizes many annual events that
serve to improve lives in the community. His annual "Immunization Day" and "Citizenship Day" are two of his most successful events.
Congressman Gene Green has received numerous awards and recognitions during his years of public service. The University of Houston presented Congressman
Green with their 1995 Distinguished Alumnus Award for his personal and professional accomplishments as well as his commitment to the University of Houston.
In 1998 he was bestowed the title of Honorary Member of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and awarded the Fiestas Patrias "Mexicano de
Corazon" award for his work and contributions to the Hispanic community.
Susan McAvoy
Director with Term Expiring April 2009
Susan, while not a native Texan, lived in Arlington, Texas for ten years prior to moving to Washington. A graduate of the University of Texas at
Arlington (BA & MA), Susan began working for former Congressman Martin Frost in 1988 in his Grand Prairie and Dallas offices. In 1992, Susan moved
to the Capitol to work in Frost’s Washington office, serving as his press secretary and later became the Congressman’s Legislative Director.
In October of 1999, Susan took a position within the Clinton Administration, serving as Deputy Press Secretary to then-Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman,
until the end of the Administration. Susan returned to Capitol Hill, working again for Frost as a senior policy advisor at the Democratic Caucus. In
January 2003, she returned to his personal office as his Administrative Assistant until 2005.
Susan is currently Chief of Staff for Congressman Leonard Boswell, from Des Moines Iowa.
Susan lives on Capitol Hill and enjoys gardening, exercising and the attractions of Washington, DC.
Bethany Smith
Director with Term Expiring April 2009
Bethany Smith hails from 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 and Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas, running his intern program.
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. While at Southwestern, Smith served as one of three student
representatives on the Fourteenth Presidential Inauguration Committee for President Jake B. Schrum and was a representative on the University’s Student
Foundation.
Bethany received her Masters in Public Policy, with and emphasis in International Studies, in May 2007 from George Mason University.
Since arriving in D.C., the Campagna Center in Alexandria and has served as the Texas Chairman for Taste of the South since 2006. She has been a member
of the Texas State Society since 2003.
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 second 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.
As a new member in Congress, Mike demonstrated leadership in numerous policy areas and currently serves as an Assistant Republican Whip in the 110th
Congress. Mike was the first freshman member of Congress to win the Ronald Reagan Award for showing exemplary leadership in communicating the message
of Social Security reform with their constituents.
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.
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.
Ed Perez (immediate 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. Continuing on the Board for the next two terms, Ed will also
serve as chairman of the 2009 Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball.
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 since then has worked as PAC Director for the National
Republican Senatorial Committee under Chairman John Ensign (R-NV).
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.
Non-Voting Positions
Lois Auer
Executive Secretary
Lois has been associated with the Texas State Society and Capitol Hill for 30 years. While on Capitol Hill, she worked for former Congressman
Charles W. Stenholm (17th District of Texas) and for Stenholm’s predecessor, Omar Burleson. Her “Hill” experience has proved to be helpful to
TSS members with various requests. She is a past member of the Board and was actively involved with the 1986 Sesquicentennial Ball and the ’89,
’93, ’01 and ’05 Black Tie and Boots balls. She is a native of Runge, Texas (population 1,092). Lois and her husband continue to enjoy
gardening and traveling. The challenges of round dancing have been added to their square dancing activities.
Jennifer Daniels
Public Relations Chair
Jennifer Daniels was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up in the northern suburb, 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.
In DC 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 currently serves in the Bush Administration at the Department of State. In her first position, 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 her current position in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs as Legislative Management Officer covering House Affairs.
Jennifer lives on Capitol Hill with her husband of seven years, Gavin (Texas A&M class of ’99 and ’04), and their Jack Russell Terrier, Sarge.
She sings with the Capitol Hill Chorale and is active at her parish St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Walt Smith
Membership Chair
Walt was born in Hillsboro, Texas and raised on a working cattle ranch and hay operation. While his father ranched and owned a fence contracting
company, Walt’s mother taught public school for 34 years. Walt grew up in Hillsboro, then attended Texas A&M University and earned a Bachelor of
Science in Agricultural Science, and a Master’s of Agriculture in Agricultural Development with an emphasis on public and agricultural policy.
After finishing with his graduate degree, Walt moved to Washington to pursue a career in public service. After a short stint as an intern for
Chairman Larry Combest and the House Committee on Agriculture, Walt landed a position in the personal office of Congressman Bill Barrett,
Vice-Chairman of the Agriculture Committee. Walt served in several roles for Cong. Barrett until the Vice-Chairman’s retirement in 2000.
Upon Cong. Barrett’s retirement, Walt then headed off Capitol Hill for a short period and served as the Coordinator for Environmental Policy for
the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. With the election of President Bush and the change in administrations, Walt then moved to the US Department
of Agriculture where he served as a Congressional Liaison.
After almost two years representing the Department to Capitol Hill, Walt moved to a position with Chairman Bonilla. Walt served as an Appropriations
Associate for Chairman Henry Bonilla of the House Agricultural Appropriations Committee from October of 2002 until December of 2006. Walt was on the
Congressman’s personal staff and handled issues ranging from agriculture and natural resources to taxes and finance.
In December of 2006 Walt began work with the National and Texas Rural Water Associations. He handles agriculture issues and is also the founding
member of The Mallard Group, LLC, a Texas-based lobbying firm.
Walt was married in February of 2006 to Kelly Richardson of College Station, TX. Kelly is also a graduate of Texas A&M and works at Hooks Solutions,
a fundraising and event planning firm which works with several Texas Congressional offices. They have a black lab named Bella and also raise registered
Limousin cattle as controlling owners of Wagon Rod Limousin Ranch in Hillsboro, Texas.
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. She is currently working in the Office of Public Affairs of the Department of Commerce
in the International Trade Administration.
Brittany has more than six years of experience working in the Legislative Branch of our federal government. Prior to joining the Department of
Commerce, she served as the Communications Director for Congressman Henry Bonilla of Texas where she managed media coverage of the Congressman’s
district, legislative and House 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 also pursuing a Masters Degree in Communications in Contemporary Society 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.
Brittany hopes to one-day return to Texas-her beloved home state-to apply the work experience and education she was fortunate to gain while here in D.C.
Carmen Fenton
Newsletter Editor
Carmen Fenton is a native of the small town of White Deer, Texas. She currently works as the Communications Director for Congressman John Carter of
Texas. In this capacity, Carmen handles all press locally and nationally, as well as oversees the overall communication strategy for the Congressman's
office. She is responsible for the website, weekly columns, press releases, and op-eds. She is also responsible for producing “Judgment on Congress”,
the monthly television show which airs in Texas’ 31st Congressional District.
Prior to being named Communications Director, Carmen worked for Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma as press secretary and for Congressman Carter as
scheduler and staff assistant.
Carmen graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications. She recently graduated from the University of
Oklahoma with her Masters Degree in Communications. Carmen has been a member of the Texas State Society since she was an intern here in Washington D.C.
Carmen was married in December of 2007 to Jason Fenton of Fort Worth, Texas. They met in Congressman Carter’s office where Jason serves as the Senior
Legislative Assistant. They reside in Alexandria, Virginia.
Barry Brown
Congressional Liaison
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 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.
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).
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