Steven Will Email and Phone Number

Create and deliver engaging online and in-person lectures covering Texas and Federal Government for fall semester of 6 classes, leveraging personal expertise. Plan and develop course content in line with college curriculum requirements.

Developed and executed legislative strategy for Houston business community, strengthening economy and livability of Houston region. Legislation experience included heavy haul freight, city municipal pension reform, open records law reforms, statewide flood resiliency program, and statewide economic development programs. Monitored legislative activity at all levels of government, and handled both short and long-term legislative planning for Public Policy division.• Developed and maintained political relationships through proactive communication and strategic planning, while concurrently managing ongoing policy threats to organization, including during periods of significant organizational change and absence of division leadership.• Prepared weekly legislative reports for approximately 5,000 key stakeholders, including Board of Directors. Briefed C-suite executives on key public policy priorities and state legislative activity.• Led Environmental Advisory Policy Committee, including petrochemical and environmental business leaders, to develop policy positions and lobby government leaders for improved environmental policies; achieved funding and subsequent implementation of EPA air quality regulation program (Texas Emission Reduction Plan).• Served as organizational expert for state and local economic development policies, including advocacy and passage of reauthorization of the multi-billion dollar Chapter 312 Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act. • Managed lobbying activities in Austin for Metro 8 Chambers of Commerce coalition of 8 largest metropolitan cities, including drafting statewide legislative agenda. Supported coordinated business community positioning on significant policy issues such as transportation, local government, and education.• Managed Policy Division Blog for members and internal and external stakeholders; oversaw team of 5-6 ppl, researched topics and wrote blog content.

Provided legislative analyses, led negotiations, and partnered with other legislative offices and House Pension Committee business with a focus on healthcare, election, and pension policy as staff for Representative Klick. Debriefed floor reports, bill analysis, and conducted stakeholder negotiations. Researched bills and policies, negotiated with internal and external stakeholders, and monitored activity.• Negotiated and passed major legislation, including Texas’ first legalization of cannabidiol for epilepsy patients, affecting approximately 120,000 children. Gained family support and testimonies from those with children with severe epileptic conditions through proactive community outreach initiatives, including writing campaigns, meetings, and individual phone calls from high-ranking elected officials.• Passed priority legislation regarding state’s healthcare adequacy for intellectually and developmentally disabled population by spearheading multiple iterations of policy re-writing to correct past errors, writing legislation, and coordinating with activists while navigating opposition from insurance companies and business community. • Identified policy portfolio opportunities and worked closely with Chief of Staff to capitalize on opportunities while coaching legislative team on policy position and legislative strategy recommendations.

Selling telecommunications services to small businesses and non-profit organizations nationwide. Responsible for meeting daily, weekly, and monthly quotas with commission-based financial incentives.

Promoted to Legislative Director from Legislative Aide partnering on Representative Callegari’s legislative package, including passing 24 bills in the 83rd Legislative Session. Bills passed included approximately $1.2B state employee pension reform affecting all public school teachers in Texas, modernization of Municipal Utility District (MUD) law, occupational licensing sunset reviews, and government contracting reform. Prepared floor and committee speeches, legislation, and other supporting legislative documents.• Drove legislative initiatives to completion by rapidly adapting during periods of significant change and effectively managing constituent correspondence and casework load.• Analyzed over 150 natural resource bills and made voting recommendations for Texas House Republican caucus and Representative Callegari by guiding state legislators in committee voting tactics and on House floor.• Served as subject matter expert (SME) by garnering in-depth knowledge of technical background and administrative operation of state’s water supply network to accurately determine bill’s impact.

Worked with David Guenthner and Mike Joyce in the communications office, as well as former policy director Justin Keener. I performed work from supervising the planning of a panel at the September 2010 SPN Conference in Cleveland, to assisting in the creation of a new internal tracking system for communications, to making policy recommendations for a report on the 2011-2012 Texas state biannual budget.

I interned for Senator Penry during the 2007 Colorado legislative session. I assisted with administrative operations, but primarily conducted policy research for the senator. My research was not focused onto any specific area, and involved independent research in fields such as tax policy, public education, and energy policy.