Legislative Services

Caroline Love joined TAC in October 2022 as a Legislative Consultant and was named Director of Legislative Services April 2024. With more than 24 years of work experience in Texas, Caroline held various positions within Texas state government, including the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), and the Texas Municipal Retirement System. Additionally, she has worked for HillCo Partners and on several Texas political campaigns.

A Chicago native, Caroline received a Political Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago then quickly moved to Texas to avoid those long cold, bitter winters. Her broad exposure to work with both public and private entities brings diverse perspectives and solutions. Her previous role for many years as Director of Government and Strategic Communications with TxDMV, including work with stakeholders and counties on issues, makes her a great resource.

Amy Ruedas joined the TAC Legislative Department as Operations Manager in 2016. She brings more than 10 years of experience working in nonprofit management. Ruedas assists the TAC Legislative Director and department staff, helping to coordinate the operations of the department.

Ruedas was born and raised in Austin. She earned a B.A. in Human Services and M.A.T. with a minor in organization development and training from St. Edward’s University in Austin.

Elizabeth Choate is a TAC Legislative Consultant and liaison to the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. Before joining TAC's Legislative Services in 2022, she was a government relations specialist at AAA Texas & New Mexico, where she advocated for the company's interests before legislatures, regulatory bodies and other key forums. Choate previously spent more than a decade as the director of government relations and general counsel at the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, managing the association's government affairs program and political action committee and providing legal counsel to the association and its members.

Choate began her career in public policy in the Texas House. She served multiple sessions as a policy analyst and later as chief of staff and general counsel to the chairman of the County Affairs Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Science in political science and economics and a Juris Doctor with a certificate in government law.

Pete Winckler has served as liaison to the Texas Association of County Auditors since joining TAC in late 2020. Previously, he lobbied for corporations and interest groups, building on his 14 years as an aide, director and chief of staff to four Texas state senators. Winckler has called Austin home for over 20 years and draws on his time representing coastal, North and East Texas interests to better understand the diverse needs across our great state.

Amy Bruno joined TAC's Legislative Services team in 2024 as a Legislative Consultant working with the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association, bringing more than 17 years of experience in Texas policymaking. Before TAC, Bruno served as vice president of advocacy at a nonprofit, where she worked to promote policies and innovations that support child wellbeing. Her career also includes roles as chief of staff and legislative director for several state representatives, as well as work with a government affairs firm and various Texas political campaigns. At the national level, she has worked for a U.S. senator and held multiple roles on a presidential campaign.

Bruno earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and Russian from The Ohio State University and studied as a fellow with Ohio State's John Glenn Institute for Public Affairs and Public Policy in Washington, D.C.

William Chapman joined the Texas Association of Counties in 2024 as a Legislative Consultant, advising on federal legislative strategy and policy matters. He began his public policy career as a staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he gained critical legislative experience. In 2021, he joined the National Park Foundation as an account associate for corporate partnerships, focusing on building corporate relationships to support the National Park Service. The next year, Chapman joined the National Association of Counties as a corporate relations assistant, leveraging his expertise to develop strategic partnerships and support county initiatives. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and philosophy from Allegheny College.

Davis Hairston joined TAC in 2024 as a Legislative Consultant and liaison to the Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas. Throughout his public policy career, Davis has held various positions within Texas government at the state, county and municipal levels. Before joining TAC, Davis served as a general counsel and policy analyst to state Sens. Larry Taylor and Sarah Eckhardt. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center.

Jason Kirksey joined TAC in 2026 as a Legislative Consultant working with the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. He previously held multiple roles in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for state Sen. Paul Bettencourt. A U.S. Army veteran, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University.

Kirsten Mills joined TAC in December 2024 as a Legislative Consultant. She previously worked in the Texas House of Representatives, where she served as deputy chief of staff, legislative director and committee clerk for the House committees on General Investigating and Corrections.

Kirsten earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas A&M University, with minors in history and business administration. She brings a wealth of experience in legislative strategy, policy development and stakeholder engagement to support county officials and advocate on their behalf.

Jama Pantel joined TAC in 2026 as a Legislative Consultant, serving as liaison to the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas. She previously held various positions within Texas government at both the state and county level. Most recently, she worked with Travis County Constable Precinct 5, where she assisted with JPCA and county issues for more than a decade.

Stefan Silveira joined TAC in 2024 as a Legislative Consultant and liaison to the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. He previously worked as a legislative director in the Texas Senate. His experience also includes work in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he specialized in appropriations. Silveira holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at UT-Austin. Before his career in public policy, Stefan worked as an elementary and middle school teacher for four years in both the Dallas and Austin areas.

Wendy Cook joined TAC in 2026 as a legislative data analyst after 20 years in public sector strategic communications for the State of Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin.

Policy Analyst - Jack Austin joined TAC in 2024 as a policy analyst. He previously worked for the Texas Municipal Retirement System and spent six years teaching English at Austin Community College. Austin earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Fine Arts from Hunter College in New York.