Bill Ratliff was elected to represent Senate District 1 in northeast Texas in 1988. In December 2000, Ratliff was elected Lieutenant Governor by fellow members of the Texas Senate marking the first time in Texas history that the Senate selected one of its members to serve as Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate. Ratliff chaired the Senate Education Committee from 1992-1996 and chaired the Senate Finance Committee from 1997-2000. He has been named one of Texas' Best Legislators by Texa s Monthly magazine a record six times.

Thomas Ratliff began his work as an independent legislative consultant in Texas since holding the position of Director of External Affairs for AT&T Wireless Services. Ratliff took his knowledge of the Texas telecommunications industry and began his legislative consultin g career for many top industries in Texas. Clients have included Fortune 500 companies in telecommunications, Internet and software technology, electric utility, insurance and other industries such as economic and business development, and education.

Ron Hinkle began his legislative career in 1983 when he was appointed as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Texas House of Representatives and later served as Legislative Division Director for the House. Hinkle has served in various state agencies, including the Public Utility Commission, in the position of legislative liaison before becoming an independent legislative consultant. Hinkle has represented fortune 500 companies in telecommunications and electric utilities as well as statewide travel and tourism associations and national small manufacturers.

Kevin Cooper possesses over 16 years of experience with the State of Texas and the federal government. Cooper began his legislative career as a legislative director for a member of the Texas House of Representatives and then as the Texas House Reading Clerk and aide to the Speaker of the House. Cooper has also served as the legislative liaison for the 5,000-employee Texas Department of Public Safety. Most recently, Cooper served as a regional director for United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.