Education:
BA, Political Science, Vanderbilt University.

Professional Experience:
Deputy Director of Business Liaison, United States Department of Commerce, 1989-1991
Assistant to the Commissioner of Customs, United States Department of Commerce
National Financial Partners
Principal, Watson, Mazur, Bennett & Straus, L.L.C.

Political Experience:
Speaker, Texas State House of Representatives, 2009-present
Representative, Texas State House of Representatives, 2005-present
Won Special Election, Texas State House of Representatives, February 2005
Campaign Manager, United States Representative Lamar Smith
Precinct Chairman, Terrell Hills
Management Committee, Bexar County Republican Party.

Organizations:
Member, Advisory Board, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, present
Member, Board of Directors, San Antonio Zoological Society, present
Member, Advisory Board, Southwest School of Art and Craft, present
Member, Advisory Board, South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, present
Member, Board of Directors, Texas Nature Conservancy, present
Member, Board of Directors, Winston School, present
Member, National Financial Partners, present
Member, TexPool Advisory Board, 2000-2004.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
National Conference of State Legislatures' 2006 Leadership Institute.