U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced the hiring of Rachel Kania to serve as senior field and technology strategist for RANDPAC. The hire coincides with the possible presidential candidate's opening of a tech office in Austin. Kania was statewide field director for the 2012 primary campaign of Ted Cruz, who also is contemplating a presidential run.
Angela Olige was named the new assistant commissioner of food and nutrition at the Texas Department of Agriculture. The division oversees 12 federal child and special nutrition programs in Texas. Olige most recently was finance and budget director for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nev.
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, has formed an advisory team comprised of elected officials, business leaders and grassroots conservative activists from counties along the I-35 corridor in his district. They are: Rosemary Edwards, former Travis County Republican Party chairwoman; Roger Borgelt, former Travis County Republican Party vice chairman; Naomi Narvaiz, State Republican Executive Committeewoman, Hays County; Will Conley, Hays County Commissioner; Julie Snyder, Kyle Chamber of Commerce president; Sharon Hall, Comal County Republican Party precinct chairwoman; Sonja Harris, pro-life activist; Kaci Poindexter, Bulverde Area Republican Women president; John Beacom, Hill Country Tea Party Patriots president; Belinda Frisk; Jan Kennady, former Comal County commissioner; Rusty Brockman, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce director of economic development; Larry Nuckols, former Comal County Republican Party chairman; Beverly Nuckols, Comal County Republican Party precinct chairwoman
Deidra Garcia is leaving her job as government affairs consultant for Jackson Walker LLP for the post of assistant vice chancellor of government relations at the University of Houston.
Texas Agricultural Land Trust CEO Blair Fitzsimons and her husband, Joseph Fitzsimons, are the 2015 recipients of the Corpus Christi Rotary Club Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservationist of the Year award.
Deaths: Johnnie B. Rogers, 89, former state representative (1949-53) and state senator (1953-57) from Austin. He later worked in the lobby for clients such as the Texas Oil Marketers Association.
Sandra Anderson, wife of state Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, died on Saturday after a long fight with cancer. She was 67. She was laid to rest on Thursday at the Texas State Cemetery.
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