Eric "Rick" Svatora

Rick Svatora worked in the Texas Senate for more than six years, most recently returning as Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Rodney Ellis. He also served as both legislative director for Senator Ellis and for the Senate Finance Committee. During his tenure, Rick shepherded scores of bills to passage, including the TEXAS Grant scholarship program, and helped pass the 2002-2003 General Appropriations Act.

Before coming to the Senate, Rick was a policy analyst for the American Group Practice Association (now American Medical Group Association), in Alexandria, Virginia. While there, Rick wrote testimony, comments on proposed federal rules and position papers for a national medical trade association. He monitored congressional hearings, contributed to and edited a bimonthly newsletter for executives of the nation’s largest group practices. While at AGPA, Rick also managed, raised funds for, marketed and administered the Association’s political action committee.

Rick also served as an intern for Congressman Michael Andrews, where he wrote speeches and letters on education issues. In 2000 Rick ran with bipartisan support for Guadalupe County Commissioner. He holds a bachelors degree in government from the University of Texas and a Masters degree from the Monterey Institute.

Jeremy Warren

Jeremy Warren worked in the Texas Senate for more than six years, most recently as Communications Director for Senator Rodney Ellis, and in 2001, for the Senate Finance Committee. During his tenure, Jeremy crafted winning media strategies for important legislative issues, such as the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act, the Sales Tax Holiday, TEXAS Grants and the 2002-2003 General Appropriations Act. In 2001, he was named "Legislative Staffer of the Year" by Hispanic Journal Magazine.

Jeremy also served as Press Secretary for U.S. Representative Ken Bentsen, and Texas State Representatives Garnet Coleman and Pete Gallego. In addition to press and strategic duties, Jeremy served as a higher and public education issues staffer for Senator Ellis for the 76th and 77th Legislative Sessions, and for Representative Coleman during the 74th Legislative Session, working on issues such as the TEXAS Grant Program, Social Promotion, vouchers and teacher’s health insurance.

Jeremy is a seasoned campaign veteran, working on numerous Texas, national and local campaigns since 1990. He served as Communications Director for David Fisher for Senate, Laurel Prussing for Congress, and the Texas Democratic Party, and in a key press role for the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign.