2013 Texas Tribune Festival

Rocha joined the Texas Tribune staff as the multimedia reporter after working eight years in television and radio news. She has covered politics for stations in Florida, Kansas and most recently in Austin as YNN's lead political reporter. Rocha received bachelor's degrees in journalism... Read More →

Connealy was appointed state fire marshal in 2012 after serving the Cedar Park Fire Department for eight years and the Houston Fire Department for 26 years. He directs the Fire Marshal's Office's fire investigations, inspections and other safety services. In 2009, Gov. Rick Perry... Read More →

Craft is a health scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, where she works to design and initiate comprehensive clean air measures. She has been appointed to serve a two-year term on the Environmental Justice Technical Review Panel of the Environmental Protection Agency’s... Read More →

Flores, R-Bryan, has represented District 17 in the U.S. House since 2011. He sits on the Budget, Natural Resources and Veterans’ Affairs committees. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Houston Baptist University. Previously, Flores was president and CEO of Phoenix Exploration... Read More →

Herrman serves as the state chemist and director of the Office of the Texas State Chemist, which directs the regulation of the Texas feed and fertilizer industry. He is also a professor in the Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Herrman received his Ph.D. from... Read More →

Kacal is serving his first term in the Texas House after winning a primary runoff and general election in 2012. Kacal lives and works on his 2,400-acre ranch in Brazos County, where he serves on various business and community boards, including Texas AgriLife Beef Extension, the Brazos... Read More →

Muska is serving his first term as mayor of the city of West and has overseen the city’s recovery after this year’s fertilizer plant explosion. He served on the West City Council from 2008 to 2011. Muska studied business at McLennan Community College and is the president of... Read More →