FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Allen Blakemore Thursday, November 6, 2014 713-526-3399

Bettencourt Prepared To Start Work Early Announces Senate Staff Ready For Duty

HOUSTON – Paul Bettencourt, State Senator-Elect, wasted no time in announcing that he has assembled his staff and has pronounced his squad ready for duty.

“Public service is a team sport and Team Bettencourt is ready to take the field,” said Senator-Elect Bettencourt. “I have learned that behind every great elected official is an even greater team.”

“I am extremely proud of the Senate District 7 office staff we have assembled. They are a terrific group, stand ready to serve the people of SD7 and help me be the very best Senator I can. While our official start date is not until January 13, 2015, we are already working hard to prepare for a great Session.”

Chief of Staff – VA Stephens Virginia “VA” Stephens brings over 20 years of state and federal legislative and executive branch experience to the team. She worked for during his tenure as Agriculture Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor. VA also served in the Bush-Cheney White House in various capacities, primarily as an energy and transportation adviser. For the past decade, she has maintained a lobby practice in Austin. VA is a graduate of the UT Plan II Honors Program and a product of the Spring Branch ISD’s Memorial High School in SD7.

General Counsel – Stacie Bennett Ms. Bennett has represented clients in private practice in New York, New Jersey, and . Her background spans a broad spectrum of legal areas including class actions and mass torts, as well as commercial, employment, product liability, and state tax litigation. Having litigated cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, she brings a welcomed breadth and depth of experience to a Texas Senate staff.

Legislative Director – Brad Tegeler Mr. Tegeler has served several Republican Legislators in various capacities over the past decade: Chief of Staff, General Counsel, and as Chief Committee Clerk for the House Natural Resources Committee. In addition, Brad has done campaign and communications work for several Legislators and interest groups. Brad is a graduate of St. Edwards University in Austin, South Texas

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College of Law and holds a Masters of Law Degree in International Business and Commerce.

Legislative Aide – David Shoemaker Mr. Shoemaker has been an adviser on property tax policy for the Office of Governor Rick Perry since 2008. This will be his fifth Legislative Session at the Texas Capitol, where he began his career with the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee in 2005. David holds a Masters in Public Service and Administration from the Bush School at Texas A&M University.

Legislative Aide – Marc Salvato Mr. Salvato, who has 20 years of experience at the Capitol, is coming back to Austin after a brief stint in Colorado. Salvato will bring diversity to Bettencourt’s team having previous experience in the House, Senate, and the Office of the Attorney General. In the House, Salvato was the Clerk for the Public Safety committee and Legislative Aide for Representative Susan Combs. He then worked in the Senate for Senator Chris Harris before moving to the Office of the Attorney General. Under Attorneys General and Greg Abbott, Salvato was the Legislative Liaison for the Child Support Division and the Division for Families and Children.

Communications Director – Jocelyn Burton Ms. Burton brings a unique set of communications skills from her 10 years of employment with The Texas Lobby Group, Walter Fisher & Associates, ROSS Communications, the Garcia Group, Billy Phenix, Matt Matthews and Ray Sullivan. She has worked for a diverse group of clientele within many different industries that she has developed long-term relationships with. As a Navy dependent, Jocelyn has seen much of the world. Jocelyn received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

Legislative Assistant – Rachel Schmidt Ms. Schmidt joins the office with a background in retail and most recently in research. Rachel has worked at the nationally prominent survey research firm of Baselice & Associates as a research analyst. Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University.

District Director – Wendi Lojo Ms. Logo has over 17 years of experience working for members of the Texas Legislature. She has previously served as District Director for Senator Dan Patrick, District Office Director for Representative Beverly Woolley, and Legislative Clerk for Representative Robert Talton. Wendi is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

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