PAAT MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
For over 20 years, the Professional Advocacy Association of Texas (PAAT) has advanced integrity and professionalism in government advocacy.
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List of Services
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Frances Blake General Counsel and VP of Regulatory Affairs · Texas Association of BuildersFrances Blake
Founded in 1946, the Texas Association of Builders is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders and has 27 local home builders associations across Texas. With a membership of nearly 10,000 representing over 758,000 jobs and more than $71.5 billion annually in the Texas economy, TAB plays a crucial role in providing housing for Texans. -
Roger Borgelt Attorney · Borgelt LawRoger Borgelt
Roger Borgelt is the founder, Principal, and CEO of Borgelt Law, bringing more than 25 years of experience in government-related practice areas. Since opening the firm in 2010, Roger has earned a reputation for results and excellence, with annual recognition in Best Lawyers in America® and consistent high ratings from clients and peers. He is also a Texas Super Lawyer in Land Use and Zoning, as ranked by Thomson Reuters, and has led Borgelt Law to be named a U.S. News & World Report–Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firm” for eight consecutive years. -
Andy Cates Owner · Cates Legal GroupAndy Cates
Andrew Cates is the Owner of Cates Legal Group PLLC where he counsels candidates, PACs and nonprofits in legislative and campaign law. He authored Texas Ethics Laws Annotated, the first and only legal practice guide in Texas on the subject, now in the 9th edition. -
Laura Colangelo Executive Director · Texas Private Schools AssociationLaura Colangelo
Laura Colangelo is the Executive Director of the Texas Private Schools Association, an advocacy organization representing over 1000 private, accredited schools in Texas in the state legislature and in DC. In this role, she is the “public voice for private schools in Texas”. She has had six successful legislative sessions in which she helped pass bills regarding credit card fees, school nurses, school marshals, and is particularly proud of a a bill that established a Do Not Hire registry for teachers guilty of misconduct. In 2025, Laura was instrumental in getting the largest day one school choice program in the country passed in Texas. -
Velma Cruz Vice President State Government & Community Affairs · ComcastVelma Cruz
For twenty-five years, Velma has worked in government relations, focused on telecommunications, broadband and cable policy. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of State Government and Community Affairs for Comcast in Texas, where she leads Comcast’s state advocacy on legislative and regulatory policy.
Prior to Comcast, Velma served as Vice President and General Counsel at the Texas Cable Association. Before TCA, she was the Regional Government Affairs Manager at Sprint, where over the course of her tenure, she represented Sprint’s legislative interests in twelve states and two US territories. Velma began her legislative policy career serving the people of Texas Senate District 26 as the general counsel to former State Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio.
Velma is a founding board member of the Texas Broadband Association and serves on the advisory council of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas at Austin. She previously served on the board of the Texas Cable Association, and on the advisory council of Dress for Success Austin.
Velma became licensed to practice law in Texas in 1999. She earned her juris doctorate at St. Mary’s University School of Law and earned her Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin, where she remains a Life Member of the Texas Ex Students Association. -
Denise Davis Co-Founder · Davis Kaufman PLLCDenise Davis
Denise Davis is a law partner at Davis Kaufman, PLLC, a boutique law firm lobby practice in Austin, Texas which was founded in 2012 with her law partner, Lisa O. Kaufman. Denise has over 25 years of public service in and around the Texas Legislature, serving clients in both the public and private sectors. Denise has been consistently ranked as a top tier lobbyist by Capitol Inside since 2013 and Davis Kaufman PLLC has also been consistently ranked as a top lobby law firm by Capitol Inside since 2013. Additionally, Ms. Davis was named “Female Powerhouse of the Year” in 2025 by USLege. -
Shera Eichler · Second Floor StrategiesShera Eichler
Shera is a familiar face to many in the hallways of the Texas Capitol where she was previously recognized for her passionate dedication as a trusted advisor and lead staffer for former House Speaker Dennis Bonnen of Brazoria County for nearly 18 years. Her longevity of honest, hard work has resulted in countless professional relationships and friendships with legislators and staff members, garnering the respect and admiration of decision makers under the Pink Dome. -
Andrew Fish Managing Partner · Texas Legislative ServiceAndrew Fish
Andy Fish became a full-time employee at Texas Legislative Service prior to the 1977 regular session and became the managing partner of TLS in 1985. He currently own New York Statewatch and Mississippi Statewatch, and license my software in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. He is the former president of National Online Legislative Associates and was a co-founder of the LISA Project which was a 50-state real-time legislative system. Currently consults with OneGov.AI, which is the most progressive AI-based 50-state platform. -
Tom Forbes President · Professional Advocacy Association of TexasTom Forbes
Tom has over 40 years of experience in government affairs, administrative and regulatory law, rulemaking, political law, lobbying, negotiation and business transactions. His practice includes the representation of clients before the Texas Legislature, contested administrative tribunals, state and federal regulatory agencies, U.S. Congress and the Federal Executive Branch. -
Robert Haney Principal Member · The Haney GroupRobert Haney
Robert was appointed by five different House Speakers as Chief Clerk of the Texas House and recognized as a "Rising Star" by Texas Capitol Inside in 2023. His unmatched expertise in parliamentary procedure, legislative strategy, and delivering real outcomes has made a measurable difference for our clients and their most important initiatives. -
Trent Hightower Director of Government Relations/General Counsel · Texas Veterinary Medical AssociationTrent Hightower
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Samuel Hooper Legislative Counsel · Institute for JusticeSamuel Hooper
Sam Hooper is Legislative Counsel at the Institute for Justice, where he advances property rights, housing choice, and economic liberty through principled legislative advocacy in Texas and across the United States. -
Wroe Jackson Executive Vice President & General Counsel · Texas Association of ManufacturersWroe Jackson
Wroe Jackson is the Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM). In this role, he oversees the Association’s strategic planning initiatives, legislative and regulatory advocacy, membership support and recruitment, and coordination among the Association’s executive leadership, as well as serving as the primary legal advisor to the Association and its membership, providing counsel and analysis on policy and legislation, regulatory compliance, and internal legal matters. -
Lisa Kaufman Partner · Davis Kaufman PLLCLisa Kaufman
Lisa Kaufman brings more than 31 years of legislative experience, including 28 years in Texas, to the legal and lobby practice of Davis Kaufman PLLC. Her practice includes representation of companies, non-profits and trade associations before the Texas Legislature and state executive branch agencies. Ms. Kaufman also serves as the General Counsel to the Texas Civil Justice League. -
Mignon McGarry Lobbyist · Mignon McGarry & AssociatesMignon McGarry
Mignon McGarry and Associates is widely regarded as one of the most reputable legislative consulting firms working at the Texas Capitol today. Mignon and her team have been instrumental in affecting the top issues faced by Texans over the past 35 years, including landmark legislation for tort reform, women’s healthcare, and utility regulation. The firm also consistently plays a role in impacting procurement practices in state government, commercial development, and property rights policy. -
Pamela McPeters Director of Governmental Relations · Texas Classroom Teachers AssociationPamela McPeters
Pamela McPeters is Director of Governmental Relations l at the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, bringing extensive expertise in public affairs and advocacy. Their background reflects a strong focus on policy development, legislative agenda management, and stakeholder collaboration. Within the Texas House of Representatives, Pamela served as Chief of Staff, where they oversaw office operations, managed staff, and led the development and implementation of the member's legislative agenda. -
Robert Miller Partner · Troutman Pepper LockeRobert Miller
Robert has been a pivotal figure in government relations law for nearly 40 years, lobbying local, state, and federal governments on behalf of public and private clients. He represents a diverse range of clients, including publicly traded companies, private family businesses, and individual business leaders. His notable achievements include helping to keep the Houston Astros in Houston by facilitating the creation of a Sports Authority, which led to the construction of a retractable roof stadium. -
Sandy Monzingo · The Schlueter GroupSandy Monzingo
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Ginger Murray Chief of Advocacy · MoakCaseyGinger Murray
In more than 20 years at the Texas Capitol, Ginger had the honor of working for some of the most well-respected leaders in the state. Ginger has a wealth of knowledge of public policy issues, including public education, school finance, higher education, economic development, taxation and the state budget. -
Laurie Pair Executive Director · Professional Advocacy Association of TexasLaurie Pair
Laurie Pair has been the Executive Director of the Professional Advocacy Association of Texas (PAAT) since the organization’s founding in 2002. A trusted authority on Texas ethics reporting, Laurie has long been a go-to resource for lobbyists and government affairs professionals navigating compliance and disclosure obligations. -
Kelly Rasti Associate Executive Director - Governmental Relations · Texas Association of School BoardsKelly Rasti
Kelly Rasti joined the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) in 2024 as the Associate Executive Director of Governmental Relations. Rasti oversees TASB’s governmental relations team, guiding the association’s work at the Texas Capitol to ensure the issues that matter most to TASB members, including funding, teacher recruitment and retention, and school safety, are top of mind for lawmakers. -
Carl Richie Principal · Carl S. Richie, Jr. Attorney At LawCarl Richie
Carl’s areas of concentration are legislative representation and administrative law. Prior to starting his own law firm, Carl worked at three major Texas-based law firms and built successful legislative and public policy practices and achieved the status of partner. Over his 30-year career, he has managed both large and small external legislative teams or worked closely with other lobbyists to represent corporations, governmental and quasi-governmental clients, and trade associations. -
Marc A. Rodriguez Owner · Offices of Marc A. RodriguezMarc A. Rodriguez
Marc A. Rodriguez has gone from being a busboy to an Ivy League graduate to a municipal employee to a successful entrepreneur. Citing perseverance, effective communication, and execution as hallmarks of any successful executive, Mr. Rodriguez continually demonstrates these traits in every aspect of his life. In his work as a government relations consultant, he uses his personal experience as an entrepreneur to identify with and understand his clients' industry challenges. Clients also benefit from his expertise as a political advisor, analyst, strategist and tactician. Mr. Rodriguez has worked on state legislative issues for the last 13 consecutive Texas state legislative sessions and has a professional history of representing entities with elected and appointed boards. Additionally, he has coordinated efforts with volunteers, private consultants, and representatives of governmental agencies. As a professional advocate, Mr. Rodriguez has specific expertise to address public policy issues including utility regulation, infrastructure, urban affairs and natural resources.
He is presently the owner of government relations consulting firm and President of TOPE Development, a real estate company. He is also Chairman of the Board for the Westgate Condominium Association. -
Annabelle Sebesta Senior Associate · Cornerstone Government AffairsAnnabelle Sebesta
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Ed Shack Ethics Expert · Ed Shack LawEd Shack
Ed Shack advises officeholders, candidates, political committees, lobbyists, attorneys, corporations, and the media regarding the conduct of state officials, campaign finance, lobbying, and election laws. He has appeared as an expert witness in criminal trials and before grand juries and legislative committees. -
Allison Small Consultant · Professional Advocacy Association of TexasAllison Small
Allison Small has more than 25 years of experience developing and implementing strategic communications & public affairs campaigns for a diverse client base on issues ranging from ethics and telecom to insurance, education, public safety, water and electric. -
Eric Wright Owner · Eric Wright & AssociatesEric Wright
Eric has over 35 years of leadership experience both inside the Texas state government and in representing some of the country’s largest corporations and associations. He has a unique and unmatched record of public service. Working with members and staff of the executive and legislative branches, Wright has helped craft meaningful solutions to complex and politically sensitive issues. Extensive political relationships, combined with knowledge of the legislative, appropriations, regulatory, and public affairs processes, give him a solid reputation of creating competitive advantages for a variety of interests across the political and policy spectrum.
