Texas Senate Leadership

Cheryl Vanek is a Chief of Staff - Retired at Texas Senate.

Anna Barnett is a Chief Of Staff at Texas Senate and is based in Austin, Texas. She has worked as Policy Analyst at Texas Senate, Campaign Aide at Brian Birdwell Campaign, and Legislative Director at Texas Senate. Anna attended Texas Christian University between 2006 and 2010.

Caity Jackson is a Deputy Chief of Staff at Texas Senate and is based in Austin, Texas. She has worked as Director of Communication and Operations at Thrive Women's Clinic, Communication Director & Policy Analyst at Texas Senate, and Outreach Coordinator at HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Caity studied at HANSEN MEDICAL INC between 2005 and 2007 and The Johns Hopkins University between 2011 and 2014.

Christopher Paxton is a Chief Of Staff at Texas Senate and is based in Dallas/Fort Worth Area. He has worked as Budget and Fiscal Policy Analyst at Texas Scorecard, Campaign Manager at Konni Burton for Senate, and Legislative Director at Texas Senate. Christopher attended BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.

Drew Graham is a Chief Of Staff at Texas Senate and is based in Austin, Texas. He has worked as Policy Analyst at Texas Senate, Deputy Committee Director at Texas Senate, and House Pensions Committee Clerk at Texas House of Representatives. Drew studied at Texas A&M University between 2011 and 2013 and TTU between 2007 and 2011.

I am privileged to be a legislative assistant for a member who is Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee as well as member of the Sunset Commission and the Legislative Budget Board. His appointment to these very important committees and boards, has allowed me to work and learn not only the policy process but also the budget process for the Texas Legislature. In addition to my policy and budget duties during session, I also managed Senator Hinojosa's calendar.

Outside of the legislative office, I maintain Senator Hinojosa's campaign database with over 4,000 records as well as prepare and file contribution and expenditure reports to the Texas Ethics Commission.

As president and manager of the Cordova Estates Homeowners Association (129 homes), I volunteer my time to enforce the rules and regulations in the Declaration of Covenants, manage the budget, and ensure our neighborhood is a safe place to raise our families.

As a regent at Texas Lutheran University, we recently undertook one of the most important jobs of being on the board, which is to hire a new president. I am confident that the decision we made will positively benefit the students, faculty, and staff of the university.

Extensive experience working with stakeholders and decision-makers as they initiate public policy program evaluation and formulation and shepherd these issues through community engagement, the political process, and ultimately implementation.

Randy Samuelson is a Chief of Staff at Texas Senate and Sergeant at Republican Party of Texas and is based in Austin, Texas. He has worked as Senior Legislative Director at Texas House of Representatives, State Chairman at Republican Party of Texas, and Senate Legislative Director at Texas Senate. Randy studied at The University of Texas at Austin between 1994 and 2000 and Austin Community College between 1995 and 2000.

Tara Garcia is a Chief Of Staff at Texas Senate and is based in Houston Area, Texas. She has worked as Chief Of Staff at Texas House of Representatives, District Director at Texas House of Representatives, and Campaign Staff at State Rep. Brandon Creighton Campaign. Tara studied at Auburn University between 2003 and 2007.

Terry Franks are a Chief of Staff at Texas Senate and are based in Austin Texas Metropolitan Area. They have worked as Director Of Business Development at Aqua America Inc and Chief of Staff for Represenative Jason Isaac at Texas House of Representatives. Terry studied at The University of Texas at Austin between 1993 and 1996.