2013 Texas Tribune Festival

Before joining The Texas Tribune, Batheja worked for eight years at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he covered state and local politics. He has an undergraduate degree in journalism and psychology from New York University and a master's degree in economics from the University... Read More →

Fowler was elected to serve as DeWitt County Judge in 2010. He is also a member of the Eagle Ford Shale Task Force, a group of officials lobbying lawmakers to address rural South Texas roads. Fowler previously served as chairman of the DeWitt County Republican Party.

Hidalgo-Cook is manager of the Southwest Area Regional Transit District. Previously, she served for 23 years as transit director for Community Council of South West Texas. Hidalgo-Cook has been a board member of the Texas Transit Association for more than eight years and is the... Read More →

McBeth is CEO and president of Brazos Transit District, the largest rural transit district in Texas. He also serves as the president of the Texas Association for Community Transit, a statewide organization that advocates for rural and small urban public transit providers in Texas... Read More →

Underwood was appointed to the Texas Transportation Commission in 2007. He previously served as chairman of the Lubbock International Airport Board and as a board member of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Underwood is president of the Trinity Company, a cotton bale storage facil... Read More →