LEGISLATIVE STAFF

CONSTANCE ALLISON - CHIEF OF STAFF/GENERAL COUNSEL

Constance began working for Senator Ogden in 1998. She has also served as an assistant attorney general of Texas, a private litigator, and an assistant general counsel to Governor Rick Perry. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University ('92) and of the Texas Tech School of Law ('95).

BETTY COTTE - ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR/SCHEDULER

Betty has worked for Senator Ogden in his capacity as a state legislator since October 1996. She has worked for upper-level management in private industry for over 30 years. Her primary responsibility is administrative oversight of the Capitol office. Residents of District 5 may contact Betty in regard to purchase of Texas state flags flown over the Capitol, Senate proclamations and resolutions, appointments by the Governor, the Senate Page program, group tours of the Capitol and other constituent issues.

PATTY GUERRA - LEGISLATIVE AIDE

Pattyhandles constituent casework and addresses policy issues in the areas of Health and Human Services, Transportation, and Education. Patty graduated from Boston College with a degree in Political Science. During the 78th Legislative Session,she worked for Senator Ogden on the Infrastructure Development and Security Committee. Patty worked at the District Office in Round Rock before joining the Senator's Capitol staff in September 2004.

STEPHANIE LEAVELL - LEGISLATIVE AIDE

Stephanie was the Assistant Clerk for the Senate Finance Committee during the 80th Legislative Session before becoming a Legislative Aide in the Round Rock office. Currently, she is working with the Capitol staff during the 81st Session. Stephanie is responsible for personal and telephone contact with constituents and casework responding to their needs. Before working with the Finance Committee, she worked for the Texas AgriLife Extension as a County Extension Agent. Stephanie is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development/Family Studies. In 2005, Stephanie recieved her Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis of Non-Profit Leadership from the University of Houston-Victoria.

VALERIE BRAK - LEGISLATIVE AIDE

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE STAFF

SARAH HICKS - COMMITTEE DIRECTOR

Sarah Hicks is the Committee Director for the Senate Finance Committee, a position she has held since September 2004.  She began working for Senator Ogden in 2002 as a budget analyst and then moved to her present job when he was appointed Chair of the Committee.  She graduated from Texas A&M University with a double degree in Accounting and Finance, and received her master's degree from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.

DANIEL HARPER - DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ANNETTE GRAVES - GENERAL COUNSEL

Annette Graves is the General Counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, a position she has held since February 2004.  She began working for Senator Ogden in 2003, first as a policy analyst and then as General Counsel for the Infrastructure Development and Security Committee.  Annette moved to her present job when Senator Ogden was appointed Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.  She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with honors.  She also received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.  Annette is both a licensed Texas pharmacist and an attorney.

STEPHANIE HOOVER - COMMITTEE CLERK

Stephanie Hoover is the Committee Clerk for the Senate Finance Committee.  She has worked in the Texas Senate for 16 years and has clerked several Senate committees, including the Senate Finance Committee in 2003.  She is also currently the Clerk of the Senate Redistricting Committee.  Stephanie graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Education.

BRITTANI BILSE - BUDGET ANALYST

Brittani Bilse is the budget analyst on the Senate Finance Committee responsible for Article II.  She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics and received her master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas.

LAURA KOLSTAD - BUDGET ANALYST

Laura Kolstad is a native Texan from Palestine, TX.  She holds degrees from the University of Texas (BA in English and history) and the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at UT Austin (MPAff).  Laura had a career in local politics before joining the staff of the Senate Finance Committee in 2008.

MICHAEL MEYER - BUDGET ANALYST

Michael Meyer has been with the Senate Finance Committee staff since 2008 as a Budget Analyst in the areas of General Government, Public Safety and Criminal Justice, and Natural Resources.  He earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Luther College and his master's degree in Latin American Studies and Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.