Kate Alexander, Policy Director, Texas Sen. Kirk Watson

Kate has served as policy director for Sen. Kirk Watson since 2014 and handles budget and tax policy as well as communications. She will speak to the process of communicating about the session, the legislation and challenges faced communicating about the key issues with stakeholders. Prior to joining Sen. Watson's staff, she covered the Texas Legislature and Austin City Hall as a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. Kate graduated from Cornell University and received her master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. Born and raised near Seattle, Kate still prefers a cool, overcast day to the Texas heat -- even after 17 years in Austin. 

Jenifer Sarver, Principal, Sarver Strategies

Jenifer is well-versed on communications and politics and recently ran for office. Jenifer was the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Bush Administration. She also served as the Director of The Archer Center and was a Senior Advisor on the Washington, D.C. staff of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Her career has spanned the corporate, nonprofit and political worlds, helping clients develop messages that will resonate with their core audiences and create strategies for effectively delivering those messages through the appropriate communications channels. She will share her experience with the current statewide campaign for Texas constitutional amendment (Prop. 5) to support Texas state parks, and how she has communicated the campaign statewide to voters.

David White, Founding Partner and CEO, Public Blueprint

David White is a founding partner and the Chief Executive Officer of Public Blueprint. He serves as the firm’s lead strategist bringing a combination of street smarts, unmatched relationships inside and outside the Texas Capitol, and an unrivaled work ethic. Throughout his career, David has held a series of prominent positions in state government. While serving as Comptroller Susan Combs’ Senior Policy Advisor, he was the point man for the agency’s relationships with associations, business groups, advocacy organizations and business leaders around the state. Prior to the Comptroller’s Office, David was Chief of Staff for State Representative Wayne Christian, serving as Christian’s lead public policy advisor on key House committees including Regulated Industries, State Affairs, and Business & Industry. In 2010, David served as Governor Rick Perry’s political director in his successful re-election battle with a heavily-favored U.S. Senator in the Republican primary, and a popular Houston mayor in the general election. In 2014, David ran a successful statewide campaign for Comptroller Glenn Hegar. As campaign manager, David helped Hegar pull off the rare feat of winning a four-way primary without a runoff.