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For the first time in Texas history, the professionals who keep the state government running have been recognized, not with sponsorships or politics, but with genuine, peer-nominated awards.
Hosted by USLege, the inaugural Best in Government Affairs Awards honored legislative staff, lobbyists, association leaders, and communications professionals across the state. In a crowded, high-stakes Capitol ecosystem, these are the people who do the hard work that often goes unseen, and this year, their peers made sure it didn’t go unrecognized.
Unlike traditional industry awards, this was not pay-to-play. There were no entry fees, no advertising packages.
Just hundreds of real nominations submitted by peers across the political spectrum, recognizing professionalism, excellence, innovation, and integrity in state policy work.
Why Texans Should Care
Texas has long been known for its bold politics. But behind every headline is a legislative staffer running point on logistics, a lobbyist threading a bipartisan needle, or an association leader translating policy into action for entire industries.
These are the people:
- Who make policy happen after hours
- Who lead with trust and respect
- Who build coalitions, manage crises, and drive outcomes
“In this industry, the highest achievement isn’t just what you’ve passed, it’s whether your peers want you by their side on the next bill. That kind of trust, diplomacy, and day-in-day-out decorum is hard-earned. And it’s exactly what these awards are here to honor,” said Laura Carr, co-founder of USLege.
What Makes This Award Different
- Peer-nominated only: Nominees had to be submitted by colleagues, counterparts, and collaborators who’ve worked with them directly.
- No fees or required spend: Recognition was earned, not bought.
- Celebrated a broader spectrum of policy professionals
Here are the award categories and winners of the 2025 Best in Government Affairs Awards:
Top Hired Gun Lobbyists of the Year
- Carrie Simmons, Mike Toomey & Associates
- Craig Casselberry, Quorum Public Affairs
- Denise Rose, Jackson Walker LLP
- Holly Deshields, McGuireWoods Consulting
- Jay Propes, Mercury Public Affairs
- John Colyandro, Colyandro Public Affairs
- Kathy Grant, Kathy Grant Group
- Larry Gonzales, Desk 138, LLC
- Luis Saenz, Texas Public Affairs
- Mark Vane, HB Strategies
- Ryan Brannan, The Brannan Firm
- Will McAdams, Mike Toomey & Associates
Rising Stars of the Year
- Ana Grace Husted, Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas
- Avery Dishaw, Blakemore Public Affairs
- Caitriana Corkill, BGR Government Affairs
- Drew Graham, Graham Public Affairs
- Emily Love, Cross Oak Group
- Eric MacPherson, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Ikenna Okoro, Okoro Law, PLLC
- Jenna Harlan, Texas House of Representatives
- Kate Goodrich, Holland and Knight LLP
- Michael Geary, August Strategy Group
- Morghan Armenta, Texas Office of the Governor
- Sara Allen, Imperium Public Affairs
Top Staffer of the Year
- Andrew Park, Texas Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
- Ashley Walter, Chief of Staff in the Texas House of Representatives
- Brady Vaughn, Chief of Staff in the Texas Senate
- Court Manske, Texas Senate Committee on Education
- Cristina Masters, Chief of Staff in the Texas House of Representatives
- Jenna King Lewis, General Counsel in the Texas Senate
- Laura Dally Stowe, Chief of Staff in the Texas Senate
- Roel Benavides, Jr., Chief of Staff in the Texas House of Representatives
- Vanessa Cortez Tanner, Chief of Staff in the Texas House of Representatives
- Vince Leibowitz, Legislative Director in the Texas Senate
Association Champion of the Year
- Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business
- Jamie Dudensing, Texas Association of Health Plans
- Kimberly Lile-Dowty, Texas Association of Regional Councils
- Kristen Lenau, Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition
- Logan Harrell, Texas Chemistry Council
- Megan Mauro, Texas Association of Business
- Perry Fowler, Texas Water Infrastructure Network
- Sandy G. Hoy, Texas Apartment Association
- Tray Bates, Texas REALTORS®
- Trent Hightower, Texas Veterinary Medical Association
Female Powerhouse of the Year
- Amy Rister, Texas House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
- Denise Davis, Davis Kaufman PLLC
- Jenn Saenz, Phenix Saenz LLC
- Leah Clark, City of Georgetown, Texas
- Lisa Kaufman, Davis Kaufman PLLC
- Marsha Jones, HillCo Partners
- Marti Luparello, Ocotillo Public Affairs
- Mary Tipps, Texans for Lawsuit Reform
- Michelle Wittenburg, Wittenburg & Associates / KK125 Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
- Molly Spratt, HB Strategies
- Nora Cox, Texas e-Health Alliance
- Rebecca Young Montgomery, Montgomery Strategies
Strategic Communicator of the Year
- Allen Blakemore, Blakemore Public Affairs
- Brittany Eck, Texas General Land Office
- Julia Dvorak, Texas Senate Republican Caucus
- Katherine McLane, The Mach 1 Group
- Mason Reid, Blue Victory Communications
- Merrill Davis, Texas 2036
- Myra Leo, HB Strategies
- Shannon Meroney, Meroney Public Affairs, LLC
- Thomas Graham, Crosswind Media & Public Relations
- Dr. Vance Ginn, Ginn Economic Consulting
Lobby Legends
- Bradford Shields, Texas Legislative Associates
- Neal T. “Buddy” Jones, HillCo Partners
- Gavin L. Massingill, Carriage House Partners, LLC
- Jack Erskine, K&L Gates LLP
- Jay Howard, HillCo Partners
- John R. Pitts, Texas Star Alliance
- The Honorable Kent R. Hance, Hance Scarborough LLP
- Mignon McGarry, Mignon McGarry & Associates
- Mike Toomey, Mike Toomey and Associates
- Robert D. Miller, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
- Rusty Kelley, Blackridge
Policy Intelligence Leaders of the Year
- Addison Reagan, Teacher Retirement System of Texas
- Andrew C. Brown, Texas Public Policy Foundation
- Ben Wright, Texas Medical Association
- Christina Gonzalez, CenterPoint Energy
- Jordan Wat, Texas 2036
- J.R. Bloom, Las Vegas Sands Corp.
- Juliana Peceli, Communications Director in the Texas House of Representatives
- Kyle Mauro, HillCo Partners
- Louie Sánchez, Hance Scarborough LLP
- Matt Z. Ruszczak, Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Matthew Conner, Arete Public Affairs
- Michelle Watts, Texas Office of the Governor
See the full list of winners here: www.uslege.ai/best-in-government-affairs
The Start of a New Tradition
This award marks a cultural shift in Texas politics, one that values collaboration, credibility, and peer respect.
It sets a new standard for what recognition looks like in government affairs, especially for the next generation rising in the ranks of the Capitol. Stay tuned for more to come.
About USLege
USLege is an AI-powered legislative tracking software transforming how government affairs professionals track, analyze, and act on policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Built for the fragmented and fast-moving world of government relations, USLege combines a legislative CRM, government video, and bill tracking with a vertical AI agent to deliver real-time alerts, actionable insights, and total visibility into the moments that matter. USLege equips professionals across all 50 states with the tools to stay ever-present in a system that never stops moving. For more information, visit www.uslege.ai.
Media Contact
Jess McDonald
Head of Marketing, USLege
jess@uslege.ai
