People on the Move
The first big visitors’ day of session is over but there’s another one this coming week. Of course, there’s plenty more pomp and circumstance on the way before committees are named in the Texas House , which could be in the middle of February based on the timeline laid out this week by Speaker Dade Phelan . I believe he said committee request cards aren’t due until January 26. Take your time, members. Personally, I don’t know why there should be committees before the end of March but that’s just me. Congrats to all the newly sworn in members of the House and Texas Senate as well as staffers in new roles. For anyone who’s new, here are two key pieces of advice: Pace yourself and always try to look at the whole board. I know that can be tough, but you’ll do great. Why do people call something “personal news” when it’s a job announcement? That’s called “professional news,” and y’all delivered it this week. Keep it coming. ksbraddock@gmail.com is the email address. Please use POTM in the subject line to ensure the Texas Capitol community hears about your new gig. You can also brag on – or tattle on – someone else. This is a gossip rag after all. Here’s the latest edition of People on the Move.
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Writer
The first big visitors’ day of session is over but there’s another one this coming week. Of course, there’s plenty more pomp and circumstance on the way before committees are named in the Texas House , which could be in the middle of February based on the timeline laid out this week by Speaker
Dade Phelan . I believe he said committee request cards aren’t due until January 26. Take your time, members. Personally, I don’t know why there should be committees before the end of March but that’s just me.
Congrats to all the newly sworn in members of the House and Texas Senate as well as staffers in new roles. For anyone who’s new, here are two key pieces of advice: Pace yourself and always try to look at the whole board. I know that can be tough, but you’ll do great.
Why do people call something “personal news” when it’s a job announcement? That’s called “professional news,” and y’all delivered it this week. Keep it coming. ksbraddock@gmail.com
is the email address. Please use POTM in the subject line to ensure the Texas Capitol community hears about your new gig. You can also brag on – or tattle on – someone else.
This is a gossip rag after all.
Here’s the latest edition of People on the Move.
After nearly 30 years at the Sunset Commission , Jennifer Jones is heading to the General Land Office as the Deputy Director of Government Relations and a Senior Advisor to Commissioner Dawn Buckingham on Feb. 1, 2023. Congrats to Commissioner Buckingham on an amazing hire.
Jason Briggs has joined Speaker Phelan's office as deputy general counsel and a policy adviser. Briggs, who previously served as a policy adviser for Gov. Greg Abbott and as chief of staff to former Rep. Jim Murphy , R-Houston, before that now covers transportation and urban affairs issues for the speaker.
Also in the Office of the Speaker, Margo Cardwell 's job has been expanded to include the role of senior adviser in addition to her serving as general counsel to the House. Cardwell joined the speaker's administration in 2021.
Fresh off the campaign trail, Ali Zaidi is back in Austin serving as Chief Strategist and Comms Director for the Texas House Democratic Caucus under Chairman Trey Martinez Fischer . Amy DeWeese is joining the PNC Financial Services Group as Vice President and Director of State and Local Governmental Affairs.
Jim Cosgrove is now Government Affairs Manager at Texas Star Alliance . You’ll remember Jim from his previous gig as Legislative Director for then-Rep. John Cyrier . After 27 years in higher ed, the Comptroller’s Office , and two stints in the House, Chas Semple is starting a lobby firm of his own called Driftwood Strategies . Cool.
Robby Teas , formerly of Rep. Jim Murphy 's office, is back in Texas as External Relations and Alumni Engagement Manager for the Archer Center . Fawaz Anwar is now working as Rep. Rafael Anchía 's Legislative Director.
Darcy Caballero , formerly with the Texas Democratic Party , is now Government Relations & Political Director at Planned Parenthood Texas Votes .
Dylan MacInerney has joined the crew at Mach 1 Group and Talan Tyminski has been promoted to Senior Vice President. Here’s that entire announcement .
At the Independent Colleges & Universities of Texas , Elizabeth Puthoff , who’s been with the association since 2005, became President earlier this month. She was Vice President before that.
Victoria Villarreal joined Constellation Public Policy Team as Manager, Local Government Affairs. She was a Texas Star Alliance previously and before that worked in the Texas Senate as a Senior Policy Advisor and Committee Clerk. Former Sen. Larry Taylor is now at the Texas Public Policy Foundation , joining serious thinkers like Mayra Flores and Sherry Sylvester .
The Texas Oil & Gas Association announced this week that Neal Carlton is the new President of the TXOGA Insurance Agency . Carlton most recently served as Vice President of Membership & Corporate Secretary at TXOGA for more than seven years. “The oil and natural gas industry makes safety in the workplace a high priority,” said Todd Staples , Chairman of the Board of the Agency and President of TXOGA. “Neal’s character and integrity make him a great fit to lead the Agency forward in working with our member companies who participate in the Safety Group, and his leadership will be a real asset.” Newly-elected (again) Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has been rounding up pros for this administration. Mark Littlefield is now on the team as a special assistant to the mayor, as are former legislative staffers Max Lars as policy strategist and Kate Alexander handling policy and communications. You’ll remember Max from his time in the office of Rep. John Bucy . Kate, of course, was policy director in Watson’s Texas Senate office. Joe Cascino will serve as Assistant to the Mayor.
Amy Bresnen has been re-appointed by State Bar President Laura Gibson to the Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Referenda for another two-year term. The Committee oversees the process for reviewing and promulgating disciplinary rules relating to Texas lawyers. Bresnen has served on the committee since its inception in 2017.
Speaking of you fancy lawyers, our friend Eric Opiela posted this on Capitol Crowd : “Congratulations to new Board Certified Legislative and Campaign Lawyers!” We at Quorum Report also want to congratulate them:
Mr. Hugh L. Brady Mr. Randy C. Cain Ms. Donna García Davidson Mr. Frederick Ross Fischer Mr. Christopher Kyle Gober Ms. Elizabeth Ross Hadley Mr. Royce Pabst Poinsett Mr. Mark Vane Have a great holiday weekend.