Lone Star Advocacy, 2021 Version (Law #2)

"Chris Sanchez, Senior Partner , Salient Strategies" "Chris J. Sanchez is a legislative professional with over 13 years of experience in Texas politics and has completed six legislative sessions. Sanchez currently serves as a Senior Partner of Salient Strategies, a full-service government affairs firm based in Austin, Texas. During his … Read More

"Chris Sanchez, Senior Partner , Salient Strategies" "Chris J. Sanchez is a legislative professional with over 13 years of experience in Texas politics and has completed six legislative sessions. Sanchez currently serves as a Senior Partner of Salient Strategies, a full-service government affairs firm based in Austin, Texas. During his career, he has accumulated experience in some of the most senior levels of government in Texas, including with the former Chairman of the prestigious Sunset Advisory Commission and a two-time House Appropriations subcommittee Chairman. Sanchez has passed legislation that has impacted some of the most important industries in Texas, including transportation, cybersecurity, and health care. The relationships he has cultivated through his legislative successes has made him well known amongst policy makers and Capitol insiders. Additionally, he has been involved in grassroots political activities for over a decade and has a strong background in political messaging and fundraising. Sanchez was an elected Republican precinct Chairman for four years, from 2014-2017. Outside of the Capitol, Sanchez is a co-founder of a regulatory risk assessment company called BRIEF. This service provides comprehensive insight for venture capital firms and incubators into potential government and regulatory complications related to start-ups. His experience with public policy related to emerging technologies has allowed BRIEF to quickly become a needed asset for potential investors. Originally from Alvin, Texas, Sanchez has resided in Austin since 2002 and is a 2006 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where he received a degree in Government." Read Less

Craig Farmer, FAICP, President, Municipal Planning Services, LLC Craig Farmer, FAICP is president of Municipal Planning Services, LLC consulting with numerous cities in Texas. Previously, he managed planning, public works, engineering, storm water, building inspection and transportation departments in the cities of Lubbock, Carrollton, Grand Prairie, McAllen and Weatherford. He … Read More

Craig Farmer, FAICP, President, Municipal Planning Services, LLC Craig Farmer, FAICP is president of Municipal Planning Services, LLC consulting with numerous cities in Texas. Previously, he managed planning, public works, engineering, storm water, building inspection and transportation departments in the cities of Lubbock, Carrollton, Grand Prairie, McAllen and Weatherford. He also was a consultant with the firms of Freese and Nichols, Inc., Dunkin Sefko, Mitchell Planning Group, LLC and City Hall Essentials, LLC. He is a Fellow in the College of the American Institute of Certified Planners, served on the National Board of Directors of the American Planning Association (APA) and the Board of Directors of the Texas Municipal League. Eighteen of his projects won Texas Planning awards including comprehensive plans, downtown plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances, and redevelopment projects. Economic development experience includes nine Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, eight Public Improvement Districts, and significant involvement in Lone Star Horse Racing Park and the Verizon Performing Arts Theatre in Grand Prairie and the $500+ million Overton redevelopment project adjacent to Texas Tech University. Craig holds a Bachelors-of-Business Administration from The University of Texas and a Masters-of-Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University. Read Less

Karen S. Walz, FAICP, Principal , Strategic Community Solutions LLC "Karen S. Walz FAICP is the Principal in Strategic Community Solutions LLC, a professional consulting firm that helps clients build successful and sustainable communities. Ms. Walz has 45 years of experience in strategic planning, public engagement, facilitation, comprehensive planning and … Read More

Karen S. Walz, FAICP, Principal , Strategic Community Solutions LLC "Karen S. Walz FAICP is the Principal in Strategic Community Solutions LLC, a professional consulting firm that helps clients build successful and sustainable communities. Ms. Walz has 45 years of experience in strategic planning, public engagement, facilitation, comprehensive planning and plan implementation. Her work experience includes East and West coast communities, as well as Texas, the Midwest and Western U.S. Clients include cities, counties, metropolitan regions and non-profit organizations. Client communities range from towns of a few thousand people to cities with over one million residents and counties covering 13,000 square miles. From 2004 through 2011, Ms. Walz served as the Project Manager for “Vision North Texas”, a coalition of private, public and non-profit organizations carrying out a regional visioning initiative for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Ms. Walz wrote the “North Texas: Returning to the Trinity” case study in the PAS Report “Green Infrastructure: A Landscape Approach”. Other publications include “A Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainability” in Planning magazine and “Metroplex Dallas Inner-Ring Suburbs” (co-author) in the ULI Press book Regenerating Older Suburbs. Karen Walz was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2006. Ms. Walz’ work has been recognized by numerous awards and commendations, including selection as an Honorary Member of the Texas Society of Architects, an Honorary Member of AIA Dallas and an Honorary Member of AIA Fort Worth. In 2011, North Texas 2050, the vision and action package produced by the Vision North Texas partnership, received national recognition with the receipt of the American Planning Association’s Innovation in Sustaining Places award. Ms. Walz’ work and leadership were recognized by the 2014 Kessler Award, Dallas’ highest urban design recognition. In November 2017, she was recognized as a “Texas Planning Legend” by the American Planning Association, Texas Chapter. Karen S. Walz received a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction in Environmental Earth Sciences from Stanford University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Read Less