Lobby Legends of the Year

Brad Shields is a trusted name in Texas government affairs. A lobbyist whose consistency, credibility, and results have made him a fixture at the Capitol for decades. As Founder and Principal of Shields Legislative Associates, he has represented clients across health care, education, environment, and finance with the same sharp strategy and professionalism that have defined his career.

“Brad’s long-standing record of results speaks for itself,” one colleague noted. “He’s not just effective, he’s remarkably consistent, year after year. When Brad takes on a client, people know the work will be done right.”

With more than 30 years of experience in the political arena, Brad began his career at the Texas Capitol in 1973, later serving as Executive Director of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee and as Director of Government Relations for the Texas Hospital Association. He went on to lead public affairs for American Medical International before launching his own firm in 1987.

Often referred to as the “Dean of the Health Care Lobby,” Brad has been recognized among the Top Five Education Lobbyists in Texas, and his expertise has earned national attention, including a feature in the PBS special Vote for Me: Politics in America.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Brad Shields exemplifies the experience, reputation, and steady results that set the benchmark for excellence in Texas government affairs.

For more than four decades, Buddy Jones has been one of the most recognizable and respected figures in Texas government affairs. As Senior Partner and Co-Founder of HillCo Partners, Buddy has represented some of the state’s and nation’s top clients. Building a legacy defined by results, relationships, and integrity.

A former state representative and Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Texas House, Buddy’s political instincts and institutional knowledge are unmatched. Those who work alongside him describe him simply as “the one you want on your side.” His peers call him “a legend whose experience and relationships shape the Capitol itself,” and note that “no ranking of hired guns in Texas would be legitimate without Buddy at the top.”

Even after decades at the pinnacle of the profession, Buddy continues to set the bar. “He’s been at the top of the list over and over and somehow only gets better each year,” one nominator shared. “Every office, staffer, and client he works with feels his best effort.”

Known for mentoring countless rising advocates and leading by example, Buddy embodies what it means to represent the best of Texas lobbying — professionalism grounded in purpose, and influence earned through trust.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Buddy Jones represents the enduring strength, credibility, and commitment that define the very best in Texas government affairs.

Few professionals embody the full arc of a Texas Capitol career like Gavin Massingill. With more than 30 years of experience as a lobbyist, legislative staffer, policy director, and Chief of Staff, he has earned a reputation as a steady leader, trusted strategist, and mentor to countless public servants.

In 2019, Massingill served as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, overseeing a team of 40 and acting as the primary liaison to all 150 House members. His role placed him at the center of every major negotiation of the session, managing Speaker appointments, legislative coordination, and day-to-day operations with precision and calm under pressure.

Massingill’s roots in the Capitol stretch back to the 1990s, when he first worked as a House messenger. From those early days to leading the Speaker’s office, he has remained grounded in respect for the institution and its people. In 2010, he co-founded Carriage House Partners, LLC, where he continues to advise corporate, association, and nonprofit clients on legislative strategy, coalition building, and parliamentary procedure.

Beyond the dome, Massingill serves as Mayor of the City of Rollingwood, extending his commitment to public service into his own community. His decades of advocacy and civic leadership have earned him recognition as one of the state’s most effective and respected professionals in government affairs.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Gavin Massingill represents the heart of Texas public service; rising from the House floor to the Speaker’s office, and ultimately, to a place among the Capitol’s most trusted and enduring leaders.

With more than three decades of experience shaping Texas policy, Jack Erskine has built a reputation as a trusted, results-driven advocate whose influence is felt across industries and administrations.

After nearly two decades in the corporate world with Fortune 15 companies, Jack transitioned to government affairs in 1993, joining Hughes & Luce, which later merged with the global law firm K&L Gates. Since then, he has represented corporations, associations, and individuals before the Texas Legislature and state agencies with a rare blend of precision, professionalism, and perspective.

Known for his integrity and his deep understanding of how business and government intersect, Jack has become a go-to counselor for complex policy challenges. His approach,  steady, strategic, and rooted in decades of practical experience, has earned him the trust of clients and colleagues alike.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Jack Erskine represents the quiet strength and enduring leadership that define Texas’s most respected advocates. A professional whose credibility and counsel continue to shape the work of the Capitol.

With more than twenty-five years of experience in Texas politics, Jay Howard has built a career defined by professionalism, trust, and results. As Managing Partner at HillCo Partners, Jay directs one of the most influential teams in the state; guiding strategy, mentoring colleagues, and maintaining a steady hand in the fast-moving world of legislative advocacy.

Known for his work across business, environmental, and tax policy, Jay brings a rare mix of strategic insight and grounded leadership to every issue he takes on. He manages HillCo’s statewide lobbying team and Political Action Committee, providing clients with both tactical execution and long-term vision.

Colleagues describe him as a true gentleman of the Texas Capitol. One nominator described him as “This man is the next Tom Brady of lobbyists. He’s deep, he’s mastered the art of persuasion, he plays for the long game”. He is respected across party lines for his fairness, precision, and command of the process. His impact is seen not only in the results he achieves, but in the professional example he sets for the next generation of government affairs leaders.

A graduate of Abilene Christian University and the University of Maryland Graduate School of Business, Jay also serves on the Executive Committee of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Board, H2O Partners Board, and remains active in civic and community leadership.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Jay Howard represents the very best of Texas government affairs; trusted, effective, and deeply respected by all who know him.

This young man is the next Tom Brady of lobbyists. He’s deep, he’s mastered the art of persuasion, he plays for the long game and he runs the largest hired gun PAC in the State.

For more than two decades, John R. Pitts has stood at the center of Texas policy and politics. A trusted advisor whose influence stretches across issues, industries, and generations of leadership.

As Founder and Chair of Texas Star Alliance, Pitts brings nearly 25 years of experience at the Texas Capitol, including service as General Counsel to Lt. Governor Bob Bullock and as Chaplain to the Texas Senate. A respected attorney and strategist, he has represented Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and nonprofits across sectors ranging from transportation and healthcare to energy and technology.

Before founding his firm, Pitts held leadership roles at Vinson & Elkins and Akin Gump, where he honed his deep understanding of how policy, business, and governance intersect. His career has been defined not only by legislative success, but by his enduring commitment to community serving on boards for the Texas Association of Business, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and multiple seminaries.

Colleagues describe him as “a statesman in an advocate’s role”, a steady hand, a trusted mentor, and a man whose integrity has made him one of the most respected figures in Texas government affairs.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, John R. Pitts represents the rare blend of institutional knowledge, character, and leadership that continues to shape the Texas Capitol and all who serve within it.

A statesman, strategist, and storyteller, The Honorable Kent Hance has shaped Texas politics and policy across nearly five decades of public service and leadership. His career spans the Texas Legislature, the U.S. Congress, the Texas Railroad Commission, and the chancellorship of the Texas Tech University System. This résumé reads like a history of modern Texas government.

As Chancellor, Hance led Texas Tech to unprecedented heights: raising more than $1.2 billion, expanding enrollment by 45%, and opening a new medical school in El Paso. Before that, as a U.S. Congressman, he carried President Ronald Reagan’s landmark federal tax cut; still regarded as one of the most significant in American history.

Hance’s leadership has extended far beyond elected office. As Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, advisor to governors and presidents, and founder of Hance Scarborough LLP, he has been a constant force in business, energy, and public affairs. His firm continues to serve clients at the intersection of law, regulation, and government with the same pragmatic spirit that has defined his life’s work.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Kent Hance represents the enduring influence, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership that have defined the very best of Texas public service.

For more than 25 years, Mignon McGarry has been one of the most respected and influential figures in Texas government affairs. As Founder and Principal of Mignon McGarry & Associates, she has built a firm known for its credibility, expertise, and strategic precision. Shaping landmark legislation and guiding clients through every phase of the policy process, from bill drafting to agency implementation.

“Mignon is as influential as she is kind,” one nominator wrote. “She’s a mentor to many and has forgotten more about lobbying than most will ever know.” Those words echo a sentiment shared throughout the Capitol: that Mignon’s blend of intellect, grace, and generosity has left an enduring mark on Texas politics.

Her career began as Chief of Staff to the Dean of the Texas Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, roles that gave her a front-row seat to some of the most complex and consequential debates in Texas policy. Since then, her firm has been instrumental in landmark work on tort reform, patient protection, utility regulation, and pre-K education, as well as key policies on commercial development and property rights.

Mignon McGarry represents the highest standard of the profession; strategic, principled, and deeply respected by peers on both sides of the aisle. As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, she embodies the wisdom, mentorship, and quiet influence that define Texas’s most trusted advocate.

Few names carry more weight in Texas politics than Mike Toomey. A former legislator, strategist, and counselor to governors, Toomey’s career has defined what effective advocacy looks like in the Lone Star State.

The only person in Texas history to serve as Chief of Staff to two different governors, Bill Clements and Rick Perry, Toomey’s understanding of government operations is both rare and unrivaled. When Governor Greg Abbott needed a proven hand to help reopen Texas following the pandemic, he turned again to Toomey, calling him “a proven chief operating officer who knows how to quickly deliver results.”

Inside the Capitol, Toomey’s name is synonymous with strategy and precision. His encyclopedic knowledge of the legislative process and disciplined work ethic have earned him a reputation as one of the most effective advocates in Texas history. As a legislator, he served on the Appropriations Conference Committee, where his careful approach to fiscal reform earned him the nickname “Mike the Knife.”

Over the decades, Toomey’s influence has shaped nearly every major policy conversation in Austin; from appropriations and regulatory reform to economic development and energy. He’s been consistently ranked among the top Texas lobbyists by Capitol Inside, and even Texas Monthly once wrote that “Toomey has accumulated the skill and will to influence every issue of consequence.”

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Mike Toomey stands as the embodiment of institutional knowledge, strategic discipline, and lasting influence. A professional whose impact continues to define Texas government affairs.

For nearly four decades, Robert Miller has been a defining voice in Texas government relations. A strategist, counselor, and advocate whose impact can be seen across industries, issues, and cities throughout the state. As Partner and Chair of the Texas Government Relations Practice at Troutman Pepper Strategies, Robert has guided clients through every level of government with a steady hand and unmatched insight .

Representing a broad spectrum of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to family businesses, Robert has shaped major state and local initiatives, including the creation of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, which led to the construction of the Astros’ retractable-roof stadium. He has also helped deliver transformational legislation on 5G deployment and transportation network company regulation, building frameworks that modernized Texas infrastructure and technology policy .

Beyond his work at the Capitol, Robert’s influence extends to civic leadership. As Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), he helped launch construction of Houston’s Red Line. It’s now one of the most successful light rail lines in the nation .

A graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Robert has spent his career shaping not only public policy but the profession itself. Known for his integrity, mentorship, and ability to see the full playing field, he remains one of Texas’s most respected and enduring advocates.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Robert D. Miller represents the leadership, credibility, and long-term vision that define the very best of Texas government affairs.

For more than three decades, Rusty Kelley has set the gold standard for professionalism and influence in Texas government affairs. As a partner at Blackridge, Rusty has represented the business interests of Fortune 500 companies, major associations, and statewide organizations before legislators, regulators, and elected officials with integrity, clarity, and results.

A fixture in the Capitol community, Rusty is widely regarded as both a leader and an innovator in his field. Publications from Texas Monthly to the San Antonio Express-News have highlighted his dedication, character, intelligence and even political science textbooks have used him as an example of “hard work,” “charm,” and “honest, straightforward” advocacy.

Before entering lobbying, Rusty served as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House and Chief Sergeant at Arms in the Texas House of Representatives, giving him a rare depth of institutional knowledge and perspective. Over the years, his ability to build consensus, employ strategic technology, and deliver results has earned him the respect of peers and policymakers alike.

As one of this year’s Lobby Legends, Rusty Kelley stands as a timeless example of what great advocacy looks like; respected by all, trusted by many, and indispensable to the work of the Texas Capitol.