To make it easier to digest, I’ve separated my resume into two succinct categories: Journalism & Political
Journalism
The Ellis County Press
News Editor
Dec. 2007 – Present
http://www.elliscountypress.com
http://www.ECP-TV.com
Notes: Tripled readership and circulation within four months; covered the bloodiest Republican primary campaign (District Attorney Joe Grubbs vs. Rodney Ramsey) in recent Ellis County political history. I also pen a news column each week called Freedom of the Press.
The Ellis County Observer
Publisher
Oct. 2005 – Present
http://www.elliscountyobserver.com
Notes: Launched this blog to report on the daily, hourly and interesting political campaign rumors. It turned into one of the most widely read political blogs in Texas, according to BlogNetNews.com. The ECO was ranked No. 1 in Texas for “Most Conservative Influence” on Aug. 8, and No. 8 in “Most Political Influence” on the same date. It is continuously ranked in the Top 5 in the conservative category and the Top 20 in the latter.
The Ellis County Press
Investigative Reporter
Nov. 2001 – 2004
Notes: My first real foray into investigative journalism. Made a name for myself as a no-nonsense reporter. Asked tough questions and even helped get rid of a few bad political officials (re-election losses or resignations due to public scrutiny.)
Focus Daily News
Staff Writer/Entertainment Editor
July 1999 – Nov. 2001
http://www.focusdailynews.com
Notes: I landed a sports writing job during my junior year of high school, covering my loved Midlothian Panthers football team. I had my sights set on becoming a sports writer until being assigned to city council meetings. It was at the sometimes-contentious meetings that my love for controversial political events flourished.
Awards: Texas Press Association awards for headline writing, news writing, feature writing. Finalist for the Felix Morley Journalism Competition. D Magazine publisher Wick Allison, after a news analysis piece on Texas electric deregulation “myths” (I argued that our market wasn’t truly deregulated because TXU still owned the lines), called The Ellis County Press “the best newspaper in DFW.”
Did You Know? I was a newspaper reporter for six years before stepping foot on a college campus. My education journey has been unorthodox, but I wouldn’t trade this life for anything else.
Political
Taxpayers Alliance for Good Government
Chairman
July 2007 – Present
http://www.ellistaxpayers.com
http://www.dallastaxpayers.com
Notes: I was handed the controls to this storied organization that fought for lower taxes, lower spending and helped defeat a series of controversial tax increases. In August of 2008, we launched the Dallas County chapter of TAGG.
Republic Political Marketing
President
Dec. 2007 – Present
http://www.rpmcampaigns.com
Notes: After a series of successful re-election defeats and tax hike defeats, fellow reporters and political friends of mine launched RPM. With the knowledge and strategies of Karl Rove, Sun Tzu and a focus on New Media, RPM can do many – if not all – of the routine campaign organizational work much cheaper.
Candidate
Waxahachie City Council
Spring 2007
Notes: Was the only challenger in a three-way race (vs. two incumbents) in this extremely difficult election. Was still able to manage 10 percent of the vote despite my six-month residency. Truly the hardest campaign I’ve ever run.
Candidate
Midlothian ISD School Board
Spring 2003; ‘04; ‘06
Notes: At the age of 22, I made a run for Midlothian school board and finished second in a four-way race, garnering 297 votes (29 percent), and losing by 19 crucial votes. The 2003 race “put me on the map,” politically. I was a strong advocate for lower taxes, lower spending and restoring accountability and responsibility.
Candidate
U.S. Congress – Sixth District
October 2005
Notes: I made national media headlines for my short-lived congressional primary campaign against incumbent Congressman Joe Barton, R-Ennis. The links to the news articles are available here.
Organizations/Activism
Americans For Prosperity-Texas
Blogger
Notes: I’ve had the tremendous fortune of knowing director Peggy Venable and the cast of RightOnline.com. This is by far the most professionally run grassroots organization I’ve been a part of. Co-founder (or funder?) David Koch is a personal hero to me.
Awards: It’s not really an award, but I cannot go into any restaurant, business or location in Ellis County without someone knowing who I am. It’s very humbling when so many people
thank me for the work we do, or when I overhear people talking down to me (if I’m not rattling cages, I’m not doing my job!)
Did You Know? I want to become a lawyer in hopes of one day becoming a judge and/or running for President of the United States.
