TX – NewDEAL https://newdealleaders.org Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:26:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 John Bucy https://newdealleaders.org/leader/john-bucy/ Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:37 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=30424 4

John Bucy

Representative | Austin, TX







John Bucy III is a native Texan and small business owner proudly representing House District 136 in the Texas Legislature. He is a staunch fighter for strong public schools, access to healthcare, good jobs, equality for all, and the freedom to vote. The former chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party, John believes in the power of grassroots organizing to affect change.

John has passed legislation supporting economic development, tourism, and creating jobs in local communities. He also supported measures to attract businesses to Texas and increase advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production, and electronics. John continues to seek solutions to increase housing, transit, and economic opportunity in Williamson County and all across Texas.

]]> Salman Bhojani https://newdealleaders.org/leader/salman-bhojani/ Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:57 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=27642 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Salman Bhojani

Representative | Euless, TX







Born in Pakistan to a large family, Representative Salman Bhojani immigrated to Texas as a teenager. He worked three minimum wage jobs to help support his family–climbing the ladder from convenience store cashier to successful business owner, attorney, Euless City Councilman, and Mayor Pro Tem. In 2022, he made history when he became the first Muslim and first South Asian elected to the Texas Legislature. Rep. Bhojani serves on the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and the House Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services. He also serves as the Chairman of the Criminal Procedure Subcommittee on the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.

In his first term, Rep. Bhojani worked hard to deliver real progress for his community and all of Texas. He passed 10 bills out of the House, and 2 bills into law and worked with his colleagues to craft and pass transformative legislation—allocating $5 billion to retired educators pensions for a cost of living.

]]> Monique Diaz https://newdealleaders.org/leader/monique-diaz/ Tue, 11 Oct 2022 23:50:13 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=14820 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Monique Diaz

District Judge | Bexar County, TX







Monique Diaz is a San Antonio native. She and her two brothers were raised by their Puerto Rican mother and Dominican father. Monique earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, and her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Prior to being elected to the bench, Monique owned and operated her own law firm for nearly a decade, where she represented low-income families, victims of domestic violence, civil litigants and small businesses. In the public sector, she represented non-profit and government agencies, and served as a City Attorney and City Prosecutor for municipalities statewide. In 2018, Monique was elected to the bench as Judge of the 150th Civil District Court in Bexar County where she presided over all civil matters. She currently serves on the Bexar County Juvenile Board, and is Co-Chair of the joint city-county Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence.

]]> Andy Brown https://newdealleaders.org/leader/andy-brown/ Tue, 11 Oct 2022 23:33:54 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=14815 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Andy Brown

Judge | Travis County, TX







Andy serves as the Travis County Judge. The County Judge presides over the Travis County Commissioners Court which oversees the county’s $1.4 billion annual budget, acts as the County’s chief administrator, and is the Director of Emergency Management for the County.

Since taking office, Judge Brown has significantly increased resources to historically underserved communities, including starting a mass COVID-19 vaccination effort prioritizing communities of color. During winter storm Uri, Judge Brown directed additional food, water, and utility support to the hardest hit areas in Travis County. Judge Brown focuses on investing in mental and behavioral health to help people receive care outside of the jail system, improving access to affordable housing, and increasing transparency and community participation in County business. Under Judge Brown’s leadership, the Commissioners Court voted to fund $110 million for housing for people experiencing homelessness which is anticipated to create as many as 3,000 additional housing units in Austin and Travis County through models like the Community First Village.

Before taking office, Judge Brown helped create the Sobering Center-Austin to serve as an alternative to jail for intoxicated people, started a successful law firm, and served on local boards and commissions. He grew up in Austin and graduated from The University of Texas School of Law. Andy served as a legislative aide to former Texas Speaker of the House Pete Laney, a campaign manager for Congressman Lloyd Doggett, a law clerk for the US District Court in McAllen, finance director and senior advisor to Beto O’Rourke, and Travis County Democratic Party Chair.

Judge Brown lives in Austin with his wife, two kids, one dog, two cats, and three chickens.



]]> Mark Strama https://newdealleaders.org/leader/mark-strama/ Mon, 16 May 2022 15:27:20 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=13783 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Mark Strama

Former Representative | Austin, TX







Mark is Google Fiber’s General Manager for Expansion Operations. Previously, he represented the north Austin area in the Texas House of Representatives. Mark received Honorable Mentions on Texas Monthly’s Ten Best Legislators list in three of his five sessions in the House. Texas Monthly said, “Strama cares as much about others’ success as his own.”

Prior to running for public office, Mark founded the first company to enable Americans to fill out a voter registration form on the Internet – 700,000 people used this technology to register to vote in the 2000 election cycle. Earlier, Mark was Director of Programs at Rock the Vote, a non-partisan organization that works with MTV and the music industry to engage young people in the political process. He previously worked for former Texas Governor Ann Richards and Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis.

Mark graduated from Brown University with degrees in philosophy and political science. He is married to Crystal Cotti, a former Austin City Hall reporter who now teaches at Dobie Middle School. They have three daughters.

]]> Trey Mendez https://newdealleaders.org/leader/trey-mendez/ Thu, 06 May 2021 13:28:40 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=9848 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Trey Mendez

Former Mayor | Brownsville, TX





Mayor Mendez was elected in July 2019 as the second youngest mayor of Brownsville, Texas, the largest City in the Rio Grande Valley, and the 16th largest in Texas. Prior to becoming Mayor, he served 9 years at Texas Southmost College (“TSC”), the oldest and fastest growing community college in the State. When he was elected, TSC had the highest tuition rate of all 50 Texas colleges. During his tenure, he was instrumental in lowering tuition 3 times, for a total reduction of over 40%. The college also reached an all time high enrollment in the 90 year history of the institution.

In his years as Mayor, Mendez made broadband connectivity a priority for Brownsville, which was named the least connected community in the United States prior to his election. After a yearlong process, a broadband plan to begin building the middle mile in his community. Mayor Mendez was named a recipient of the New Century Cities’ Change Maker award for his work on this initiative. Under Mayor Mendez’s leadership, Brownsville, Texas focused on becoming the New Space City. It is now home to SpaceX and a Tesla Service and delivery center and the new home to Spaced Ventures and the Space Channel, two space related companies that recently relocated to Brownsville, the innovation capitol of South Texas.

]]> Ron Nirenberg https://newdealleaders.org/leader/ron-nirenberg/ Fri, 03 Apr 2020 15:27:19 +0000 https://newdealleaders.org/?post_type=leader&p=7626 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Ron Nirenberg

Mayor | San Antonio, TX







Ron Nirenberg is the mayor of San Antonio, one of the nation’s fastest growing cities with the 7th largest population in the United States. He and his wife, First Lady Erika Prosper, are the proud parents of their son, Jonah.

Under his leadership as mayor, the city’s budget has been adopted with a focus on equity to ensure that all parts of the city have the same level of services and infrastructure. Mayor Ron’s policy priorities include nurturing an educated workforce in San Antonio through the AlamoPROMISE tuition-free college program and championing innovative transportation solutions through the city’s first comprehensive multimodal transportation plan. In August of 2017, Mayor Nirenberg created the Mayor’s Housing Policy Task Force because all San Antonians, regardless of income level, deserve opportunities to find quality affordable housing within city limits. In an effort to combat the effects of global climate change, Mayor Nirenberg spearheaded a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in October 2019. Shortly thereafter, Mayor Nirenberg joined the Climate Mayors Steering Committee, a group of 24 mayors who will serve as a leading voice in efforts to further climate action in the more than 400 cities across the U.S. making up the Climate Mayors coalition.

]]> Annise Parker https://newdealleaders.org/leader/annise-parker/ Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:41:55 +0000 https://thenewdeal.flywheelsites.com/?post_type=leader&p=3880 .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Annise Parker

FORMER MAYOR
HOUSTON, TX





Annise Parker is Houston’s second female mayor, and the first elected openly gay mayor of a U.S. city with over a million residents.

In the private sector, Mayor Parker spent 20 years working in the oil and gas industry, including 18 years with Mosbacher Energy Company. She also co-owned a retail bookstore for 10 years.

Parker has spent 13 years in service to the people of Houston, first as a City Council member and six years as City Controller. She is the only person in Houston history to hold the offices of council member, controller and mayor. Her first term mayoral accomplishments include the appointment of the city’s first sustainability director, reorganization of several City departments to achieve cost savings and more efficient operations, and adoption of a long-term financial plan that ensures the stability of the City’s water department.

As city controller she shunned divisive politics in favor of a no-nonsense, transparent approach to fiscal policy and a commitment to the use of performance audits to achieve more efficient and effective government. While a member of City Council she played leadership roles in the creation of the City’s Rainy Day Fund, a civic art program, and tighter regulations for inner-city development.

]]> Mike Villarreal https://newdealleaders.org/leader/mike-villarreal/ Sat, 18 Jan 2020 11:30:15 +0000 https://thenewdeal.flywheelsites.com/alumni/mike-villarreal/ .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Mike Villarreal

Former Representative | San Antonio, TX





Mike Villarreal served seven terms at the State Capitol, advancing a public agenda that invests in education, values work and aspiration, and ensures that government is accountable to citizens. He was Representative from 2003 to 2015. He served as the Chair of the House Committee on Investments and Financial Services, a member of the House Committee on Public Education and was named to the Joint Select Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency. His legislative accomplishments include securing a funding expansion for financial aid for college students, establishing state oversight over tax refund anticipation loans, and authorizing an innovative clean energy financing program.

Mike’s professional background is in finance and he holds a degree in economics. Most recently, he directed the San Antonio office for Public Financial Management, the nation’s leading public finance advisory firm.

]]> Rey Saldana https://newdealleaders.org/leader/rey-saldana/ Sat, 18 Jan 2020 11:30:11 +0000 https://thenewdeal.flywheelsites.com/alumni/rey-saldana/ .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709{ background-repeat:no-repeat; background-image:url(https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/header-tnd-1500x630.jpg); background-position:50% 0%; background-attachment:scroll; } .avia-section.av-k5jpnbyp-1e830beeb821e85dde944388509bd709 .av-section-color-overlay{ opacity:0.5; background-color:#000000; }

Rey Saldana

Former City Councilmember | San Antonio, TX







Rey Saldaña served as a San Antonio City Council member from 2011 to 2020. After finishing his undergraduate and graduate work at Stanford University, he was elected as the youngest city council member in San Antonio. He was reelected in 2013 with more than 84% of the vote, and has continued to work in the same community in which he was born and raised.

Council member Saldaña helped lead multiple initiatives including the passage of city’s largest municipal bond of over $500 million, the creation of a City tax supported sales tax to create four pre-k centers for expanded early childhood education access, the transformation of a former landfill into the city’s largest park, and exploring ways to build a community health clinic in the city’s highest needed areas.

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