2024 Patman Center Speakers

In Spring 2024, The Patman Center welcomed 36 distinguished speakers from across the political spectrum. From Republican to Democratic elected officials to legislative staff and campaign professionals, our events bring real-world insights from leaders shaping politics today.

Spring 2024

Debbie Bresette

Founder, Bastrop County Cares

Joaquin Castro

U.S. Representative (D-San Antonio)

Marjorie Clifton

Media Commentator

Jessica Colon

Republican Strategist

Sarah Eckhardt

State Senator (D-Austin)

Veronica Escobar

U.S. Representative, D-El Paso

Theresa Gage

Former Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications, ERCOT

Lyssette Galvan

Public Policy Director, National Alliance for Mental Illness - Texas

Heider Garcia

Dallas County Elections Administrator

Craig Goldman

State Representative (R-Fort Worth)

The Honorable Larry Gonzales

Former Texas State Representative

Tony Gonzales

U.S. Representative (R-San Antonio)

The Honorable Sherri Greenberg

Former Texas State Representative
Assistant Dean, The LBJ School of Public Affairs

Roland Gutierrez

State Senator (D-San Antonio)

Brian Harrison

State Representative (R-Midlothian)

Julie Johnson

State Representative (D-Farmer’s Branch)

Savin Ven Johnson

Former Task Force Leader, FEMA Covid-19 Vaccination Force

Jeff Leach

State Representative (R-Plano)

Ben Leffler

Chief of Staff, Austin City Councilman Ryan Atler

Kenny Marchant

Former U.S. Representative (R-TX)

Bryan Mares

Government Relations Director, National Association of Social Workers-Texas

Mike Morath

Texas Commissioner on Education

Victoria Neave Criado

State Representative (D-Dallas)

Ron Nirenberg

Mayor of San Antonio

Tyler Norris

Republican Strategist

Beto O’Rourke

Former U.S. Representative

Katie Popp

Workplace Consultant and former Employee of the Great Places to Work Institute

Christina Tzintzun Ramirez

President of NextGen America
Adjunct Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs

Jenifer Sarver

Communications Consultant and Lecturer at Moody College of Communication

Larry Schooler

Former City of Austin Manager for Public Engagement and Assistant Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication

Nirav Shah

Chief of Staff, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard

Evan Smith

Founder and Former CEO, The Texas Tribune and Professor of Practice, The LBJ School of Public Affairs

Jason Stanford

Democratic Strategist

Randan Steinhauser

Former Director of External Affairs for the Alliance for School Choice

Joe Straus

Former Speaker, Texas House of Representatives

Cliff Walker

Co-founder of Seeker Strategies

Fall 2024

James Aldrete

President of MAP Communications

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison

Former U.S. Senator (R-Texas) and former Ambassador to NATO

Brencia Berry

Former Political Director at the Democratic National Committee

The Honorable Dennis Bonnen

Former Speaker of The Texas House of Representatives

Andy Brown

Travis County Judge

John Bucy III

State Representative (D-Austin)

Darcy Caballero

Government Relations and Political Director at Planned Parenthood and Texas Votes

Joaquin Castro

U.S. Representative (D-San Antonio)

Liz Chadderdon

Former President and Creative Director at Chadderdon Lestingi Creative Strategies

John Drogin

Former Campaign Manager for Senator Ted Cruz

Matthew Dowd

Chief Strategist for the Bush-Cheney 2004 presidential campaign and former ABC News political analyst

Sarah Eckhardt

State Senator (D-Austin)

John Egan

Partner and COO of Murphy Nasica

Manny Garcia

Former Executive Director of the Texas Democratic Party

Josè Garza

Travis County District Attorney

Craig Goldman

State Representative (R-Fort Worth)

The Honorable Larry Gonzales

Former Texas State Representative

Tony Gonzales

U.S. Representative (R-San Antonio)

The Honorable Sherri Greenberg

Former Texas State Representative
Assistant Dean, The LBJ School of Public Affairs

Elliott Griffin

Former Chief of Staff in the Texas Capitol

Vincent Harris

CEO of Harris Media

Glenn Hegar

Texas Comptroller

Laura Hernandez Holmes

Former Campaign Manager for US Representative Greg Casar

Gina Hinojosa

State Representative (D-Austin)

Periklis Karoutas

Managing Director at Legislative Solutions

Kevin Lindley

Former Campaign Manager for Governor Rick Perry and Senator Creighton

Ryan Micik

Political Research and Communications Consultant

Mike Morath

Texas Commissioner on Education

Jennifer Naedler

Campaign Fundraiser

Mattie Parker

Fort Worth Mayor

Joey Parr

Partner and Creative Director at Murphy Nasica and Associates

Rick Perry

Former United States Secretary of Energy & Former Governor of Texas

Scott Pollard

Former Director of Advance for The Texas Democratic Party
Former Advance Associate for The White House under President Obama

Joe Pounder

Founder of BullPen Strategy Group

Sam Robles

Former Campaign Manager for Roland Gutierrez for U.S. Senate

Karl Rove

Former Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush and former Deputy White House Chief of Staff

Derek Ryan

Founder of Ryan Data and Research

Javier Salazar

Bexar County Sheriff

Jenifer Sarver

Communications Consultant and Lecturer at Moody College of Communication

Tariq Thowfeek

Co-Founder of Seeker Strategies

Mykle Tomlinson

Former Campaign Manager for Randi Shade and Chris Riley for Austin City Council

Jaclyn Uresti

Partner at Philips Uresti Meachum Partners

MaryEllen Veliz

Political Operative at DS Political

Ali Velshi

Canadian journalist

Senior Economic and Business Correspondent for NBC News

Cliff Walker

Co-founder of Seeker Strategies

Kirk Watson

Austin Mayor

John Wittman

Partner at PLUS Communications

Nancy Zdunkewicz

Pollster and Founder of Z to A Research