1. Rick Svatora
198 Skytrail Dr. ersvatora@gmail.com
New Braunfels, TX 78130 512/563-7244 (c) and 830/632-6271 (h)
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Assistant Director of Fiscal Policy, 2015-Present, Austin, TX
 Manage strategic interaction with institutions and office holders regarding higher education funding
 Oversee preparation of budget instruments and presentations related to a $1.3 billion student portfolio
 Liaison to state legislature and executive branch in matters of higher education finance
 Develop and make policy and legislative recommendations related to higher education
Policy & Communications Consulting, Owner, 2001-2014, Austin, TX
 Messaging and strategic communications
 Managed up to 10 staffers and worked in 20 states in contracts totaling as much as $600,000
 Extensive research and work products on insurance, health care, education, consumer, budget issues, etc.
Texas State Senator Wendy Davis, Communications Director, 2013, Austin, TX
 Coordinated media and communication strategy
 Press releases, press event and general messaging responsibilities
 Speech writing, earned and social media content
Texas Veterans Commission, Communications Manager, 2010-2012, Austin, TX
 Reorganized governmental relations, media and outreach functions at the agency
 Managed Marketing and Outreach efforts and edited publications and social media
 Lead legislative and Congressional contact, testified before the Legislature, crafted and monitored legislation
and oversaw direction of $55 million (biennial) budget affecting 1.7 million Texas veterans
Bob Kerrey for U.S. Senate Campaign, Research Director, 2012, Omaha, NE
 Managed research team to execute background and strategic work products
 Daily message support and fact checking for earned and social media and website content
 Debate preparation and policy position papers
Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, Legislative Director/Policy Advisor, 1995-2001, 2003, 2007 & 2009, Austin, TX
 Managed legislative staff and passed significant legislation (TEXAS Grants, ID Theft Security, Tax Cuts)
 Advised the senator on legislative strategy, scripted statements and organized press events and hearings
 Staffed the Senate Finance Committee, served as committee director and wrote interim reports
American Group Practice Association (now AMGA), Legislative Policy Analyst, 1993-1995, Alexandria, VA
 Wrote health-related Congressional testimony, public comments on proposed rules, and position papers
 Monitored and reported on Congressional committees, budget mark up and 1994 health reform hearings
 Administered, raised funds for, and marketed the association’s political action committee
 Members include physician-run groups (e.g. Mayo Clinic, Scott & White, Kelsey-Seybold & Cleveland Clinic)
Congressman Mike Andrews, Intern/Aide, 1992-1993, Washington, DC
 Covered education and health related issues. Provided speeches and talking points, constituent services
Other Experience
 Girl Scout volunteer
 Working knowledge of French
 Ran for Guadalupe County Commissioner with bipartisan support
 Raised money for flood victims in Comal and Guadalupe County
Education
MA, International Policy Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies - 1992
Emphasis on language and role of diplomacy in international affairs; Dean’s List 1991 & 1992
BA, Government, University of Texas at Austin - 1990
BA equivalent in German