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 of Texas at Arlington.

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 vice president of rural transportation for TTA.

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.

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 facility.