Congress Avenue Partners

Texas Government Relations

More than a century of experience, working for you at the Texas Capitol.

Congress Avenue Partners is a government relations and public affairs firm. We give corporations, associations, and non-profits strategic advice, political counsel, and effective public policy solutions before the Legislature and state agencies.

The partners of Congress Avenue Partners

Where our team has served

  • Railroad CommissionerBuddy Garcia
  • Chair, Texas Commission on Environmental QualityBuddy Garcia
  • Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant GovernorEric Wright
  • Committee Director, Senate FinanceEric Wright
  • Chief of Staff to three State SenatorsEric Woomer
  • VP of Public Affairs, Texas Hospital AssociationGregg Knaupe
  • Director of Governmental Relations, Texas Workforce CommissionCourtney Williamson
  • Chief of Staff, Texas House of RepresentativesSloan Byerly

Services

What we do for clients

We build a plan around each client's legislative and regulatory goals, then carry it through the session, the interim, and the agencies that implement the law.

Lobbying & Advocacy

  • Representation before the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, and legislators
  • Bill drafting, sponsors, and testimony
  • Coalition building with allied groups

Agencies & Regulation

  • Rulemaking at TCEQ, the PUC, the Railroad Commission, HHSC, and others
  • Introductions to agency leadership
  • Interim charges and Sunset reviews

Strategy & Messaging

  • Issue research and one-pagers
  • Message development for members and staff
  • Weekly reports during session

Political Counsel

  • PAC strategy and Texas Ethics Commission compliance
  • Candidate and election analysis
  • Representation at fundraising events

Our Team

Partners and staff

The partners on your account are your points of contact, from the first meeting through sine die. Open any name for the full background.

Eric Wright

Eric Wright

Partner

Former Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff and Committee Director of the Senate Finance Committee.

Full bio

Eric has spent more than 35 years crafting solutions to complex and politically sensitive issues. As Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Ratliff, he coordinated the office's work with the Senate, the House, the Governor's office, and nearly 250 executive branch agencies. As Senate Finance Committee Director, he guided the adoption of two state budgets.

In private practice he has represented Motorola, IBM, SAS, Sempra Energy, Texas Instruments, and the Huntsman Corporation.

Education: B.A. in Economics, The University of Texas at Austin

Buddy Garcia

Buddy Garcia

Partner

Former Railroad Commissioner and Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Full bio

Buddy served the State of Texas for more than 22 consecutive years before starting his consulting career in 2013. He began with Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. in 1991, rose to Senior Advisor to Governor Rick Perry, and served as Deputy Secretary of State and Border Commerce Coordinator, TCEQ Commissioner and Chairman, and Railroad Commissioner.

His practice covers regulatory policy, energy, environment, water, and Texas–Mexico relations. He received Mexico's Ohtli Award and serves on the Texas Water Foundation board.

Education: B.A. in Political Science, Texas State University

Gregg Knaupe

Gregg Knaupe

Partner

One of Texas' leading health care lobbyists and former VP of Public Affairs for the Texas Hospital Association.

Full bio

Gregg represents hospitals, government entities, non-profits, associations, and corporations, primarily in health care. At the Texas Hospital Association he led state and federal lobbying and managed the association's PAC for six years. He was earlier a legislative aide to a State Representative and director of government relations at Davis & Wilkerson.

He serves on the Community Leadership Council for Dell Seton Medical Center at UT.

Education: B.A., UT Austin (Terry Foundation Scholar); J.D., University of Houston Law Center

Eric Woomer

Eric Woomer

Partner

Former Chief of Staff to three State Senators of both parties, from the Panhandle to the Houston Ship Channel.

Full bio

Eric served as Press Secretary to Congressman J.J. "Jake" Pickle and as a policy advisor to U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. He gives clients legislative tactics, policy expertise, media management, and strong written materials, and is consistently ranked among the top lobbyists in Capitol Inside's Lobby Power Rankings.

Education: M.P.A., LBJ School of Public Affairs; B.A., UT Austin (National Merit Scholar)

Courtney Williamson

Courtney Williamson

Legislative Director

Twenty years in state government, including seven as Director of Governmental Relations at the Texas Workforce Commission.

Full bio

Courtney works with the Legislature, state leadership, and agencies on policy initiatives for clients. Her experience covers health and human services, workforce, and military affairs, with work for state agencies and for members of both the House and Senate.

Education: M.P.A., UT San Antonio; B.A., St. Edward's University

Sloan Byerly

Sloan Byerly

Associate

Nearly a decade in the Texas House, including Chief of Staff to Rep. Travis Clardy. A Capitol Inside top 10 "Rising Star."

Full bio

Sloan's practice covers economic development, public safety, health and human services, natural resources, and elections. He was Legislative Director to Rep. Lynn Stucky and began his career on the House Natural Resources Committee under Chairman Jim Keffer.

Education: B.A. in History, UT Austin

Katy Cramer

Katy Cramer

Office Manager

A veteran of multiple sessions who coordinates the firm's work and serves as a point of contact for clients.

Full bio

Katy keeps the firm running. She manages scheduling and the office, coordinates the work of the team, and serves as an additional point of contact for clients.

Clients rely on her for quick answers, careful follow-through, and the kind of service that makes a busy session run smoothly.

Clients

Who we represent

Current clients of the firm, by sector.

Energy & Environment

  • AQUA
  • AMRIZE
  • Rain

Health Care

  • Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice
  • Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society
  • Aveanna

Automotive

  • Stellantis

Contact

Talk with a partner

Call or email the office and a partner will get back to you directly.