Martin Hubert brings a wealth of state government experience to the clients of Cornerstone Government Affairs. From his early career as chief counsel to the Senate Natural Resources Committee to his gubernatorial appointment as a commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to his eight years as the deputy comptroller of Texas, Hubert has managed thousands of employees and millions of taxpayer dollars under both Democrat and Republican administrations.

Martin was the 2008 recipient of TSABAA's Administrator of the Year Award. Presented annually, this prestigious award was established to formally recognize state employees who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and who have made significant contributions to state agency business administration.

As the final general counsel to legendary Lt. Governor Bob Bullock, Martin learned the mastery of government relations from some of the most influential leaders in Texas history. His knowledge of agriculture stems from generations of the Hubert family's cow/calf and farming operations in South Texas and serving as the Texas Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for eight years. Martin offers a unique combination of legal, natural resources, tax policy and state government procedural expertise.

Hubert is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center and St. Mary's School of Law. He was Brigade Executive Officer in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Ross Volunteers Honor Guard and the Singing Cadets. He successfully completed Army Ranger School and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is a marathon runner and coaches his son's little league teams.

Hubert is a second tenor and helps raise money for Legal Aid through the Travis County Bar Association's "Bar and Grill" fundraisers. He and his wife Celeste live in a historic home in Austin, where they are involved with the Austin Symphony, St. Theresa's Catholic Church and School, and the happily busy lives of their children Belle and Patrick.

Helped lead $1.7B agency including management, budget, technology, procurement and legislative affairs at MBTA

Led multiple technology upgrades at MBTA that resulted in a significant leap forward innovation at the agency, also became very proficient in state procurement processes and rules

Helped develop and coordinate strategy to consolidate functions of six transportation departments as Legislative Director at MassDOT

Routinely worked with staff and vendors on hundreds of millions of dollars in road and bridge projects annually

Responsible for writing and tracking all legislation and budget matters for Asst. Minority Leader

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Legislative Director, MassDOT

Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Highway Department

Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Assistant Minority Leader, Massachusetts Senate


Education:

University of Massachusetts

Tony Essalih joined Cornerstone in 2011 as a co-lead of the firm's flagship Texas office in Houston. He spent 12 years on Capitol Hill and came to Cornerstone from the office of Congressman John Culberson (R-Houston). Tony worked for Congressman Culberson for 10 years, the last five as his chief of staff. Prior to becoming chief of staff, Tony served in a variety of capacities including legislative assistant, legislative director, communications director, and deputy chief of staff. He spent eight years in Washington, D.C. before relocating to Houston in 2007.

As chief of staff, Tony was responsible for guiding the day-to-day operations of the Congressman's Washington and Houston offices, and oversaw a 15-member staff under a fixed budget. Outside of the office, he served as the principal liaison to the Congressman's campaign committee and provided strategic counsel and advice related to his re-election efforts. Tony's areas of policy expertise include transportation, energy, budget and appropriations. Tony also led outreach efforts and served as an emissary on behalf of the Congressman with state lawmakers in Austin and local elected officials in Houston.

Prior to Culberson's election in 2001, Tony worked as a legislative assistant for Congressman Culberson's predecessor, former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer. Tony's began his tenure on Capitol Hill with former House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings.

Tony has advised and assisted numerous local, state, and federal campaigns. He serves on the board of the National InterFaith Foundation, the Advisory Board for the Houston Technology Center, spent two years on the Board of the Spring Branch Medical Center and was a member of Houston Mayor Annise Parker's transition team in 2010.

Tony was born and raised in Fredericksburg, VA and received his B.A. in Political Science from Mary Washington College. He was a member of Mary Washington's NCAA semifinalist men's soccer team. He lives in Houston and has two angelic daughters, Grace and Libby.

Launched Cornerstone's 13th state office in South Carolina

Former Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee

Regularly engaged in the highest-level budget and policy negotiations from within the innermost circles of Massachusetts state government

Worked closely with then-Chairman DeLeo to pass four state budgets, multiple bond bills and major pieces of legislation including health care reform and clean energy initiatives.

Responsible for shaping the House legislative agenda, overseeing its execution and strategically advising the Speaker through high-stakes negotiations

Works closely with all parties including the Senate President and Governor, majority and minority legislative leadership, chairs and cabinet officials.

Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor to Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Ways and Means

Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

Education:

Suffolk Law School
Hamilton College
Belmont Hill
The Fessenden School

Anne Mazuca brings over a decade of legislative experience working at the Texas Capitol, most recently serving six years as Chief of Staff to State Representative R.D. ‘Bobby' Guerra.

During her time working in the Texas legislature, she has worked for Members from Dallas, Galveston and South Texas, allowing her the opportunity to build relationships with local elected officials, community leaders and stakeholders from across the state while working on a wide range of policy areas. Prior to being named chief of staff, she served as a legislative director and legislative aide where she was the primary staff lead for the House Appropriations Committee Article II and Article III focusing on healthcare and education funding, the Public Health Committee, Energy Resources, Business & Industry, Ways & Means and Insurance committees.

In her capacity as chief of staff, Anne was responsible for guiding the day-to-day operations of the Capitol and McAllen offices. Outside of the office, she provided support for her Member's re-election campaign where she provided feedback on messaging, managed all Texas Ethics Commission and campaign finance filings and offered general advice and assistance related to his campaign.

An Austin native, Anne has close ties to the city in which she still resides.

6-10 years

Brian serves as a senior vice president for McGuireWoods Consulting's state government affairs group in Columbia, South Carolina. Brian represents clients before the state legislature, local governments and executive branch agencies.

Representing a diverse group of clients on a range of issues including energy, transportation, education, alcohol, retail and non-profit advocacy, Brian has helped pass legislation related to emerging transportation, alcoholic beverage control laws and the energy industry. He has extensive experience in developing and implementing comprehensive government, grassroots and public affairs strategies for his clients.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Brian worked on a number of political and grassroots campaigns, and worked for Congressman Joe Wilson in his district office. Upon graduation from The Citadel, Brian took a commission in the Army as a Military Intelligence Officer. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 1-178th Field Artillery Battalion and served as the unit's Tactical Intelligence Officer. He is currently a Captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard and serves as the legislative liaison.

Brian lives in Columbia with his wife, where they are raising their two daughters.

Craig Holzheauser brings to Cornerstone years of involvement in Texas state and local politics. The son of a state representative, Craig went to work in the private sector after college before beginning a political career at the state capitol in 2012.

Working as a legislative consultant, managing the campaigns of House and Senate members, and serving as legislative director and then committee director of the House Committee on Public Health in his first year of employment, Craig is goal oriented and proven himself to be a quick study. Craig has a keen political intuition and a knack for developing the type of relationships that matter in campaigns, service of an elected official, or success for his clients.

A native of Victoria, Texas, Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science from Texas A&M University.

Justin R. Jordan is an award-winning political advisor and a vice president at Cornerstone Government Affairs. Justin specializes in federal and state government relations, and communications.

For more than 14 years, Justin has been involved in guiding congressional, state legislature, judicial, mayoral, city council, county executive and school board campaigns and advising clients and elected officials. His unique background offers his clients an integrated approach to solutions that help them navigate the political arena. In addition to his work with a range of Cornerstone clients in the state of Texas, he also has experience working on behalf of foreign governments.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Justin founded Patriot Group Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in strategy, marketing and fundraising. Over the years, he developed a niche of reaching constituency's through the use of unconventional and innovative communication strategies. His entrepreneurial know-how positions him as a national leader in providing strategic advice in an array of political issues including, but not limited to diplomatic relations, pensions, and cyber security.

He has served as a deputy field coordinator for the National Republican Congressional Committee, chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans and Executive Director for the watchdog organization, Texans for Ethics and Accountability.

Justin is a member of the Houston Airport System Development Corporation.