David Guenthner

Current

Director, Media and Government Relations at Texas Public Policy Foundation

Past

Governmental Relations Liaison at Texas Workforce Commission
President at The Guenthner Group (Self-employed)
Managing Editor at The Lone Star Report

Executive Assistant at Texas Risk Retention Association / Texas Association of Residential Care Communities

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Education

Trinity University

Recommended

6 people have recommended David

Connections

463 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Websites

My Company

David Guenthner’s Summary

David Guenthner is Director of Media and Government Relations for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He joined TPPF following a two-year stint in the governmental relations department at the Texas Workforce Commission.

From 1997 through 2003, Guenthner was managing editor of The Lone Star Report, a weekly insider newsletter devoted to Texas politics. The Austin American-Statesman said that “Guenthner led a staff known around the Capitol for its extensive knowledge of political and policy details and its passion for the nuances of the legislative process.”

He has appeared on the Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" and the Salem Broadcasting Network's nationally syndicated "David Gold Show." For three years, he had a segment every Monday morning on KMND-AM in Midland, TX, and has appeared on local talk programs in many Texas media markets. Channel NewsAsia, an international news channel based in Singapore, utilized him to explain the aftermath of the 2000 U.S. presidential election. He has been a commentator on Texas issues for NationalReview.com, and quoted in national publications such as The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Atlantic Monthly, The National Journal, and The Southern Political Report, as well as daily and weekly newspapers across Texas.

Guenthner has been a leader in the use of new communications technologies in the public policy arena. The Austin American-Statesman selected him as a winner in its 2009 Texas Social Media Awards, which recognize innovation and outstanding achievement by Texans in the field of social media.

In 1993, Guenthner received his B.A. from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated with a double major in political science and speech communication and a minor in economics. He is a past president of Trinity’s Austin alumni chapter, a former state chairman of the Young Conservatives of Texas, and a former intern for The Leadership Institute.

David Guenthner’s Specialties:

public affairs, communications, social media, public policy, governmental relations, journalism, punditry

David Guenthner’s Experience

Director, Media and Government Relations

Texas Public Policy Foundation

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

January 2007 — Present (2 years 7 months)
Governmental Relations Liaison

Texas Workforce Commission

(Government Agency; 1001-5000 employees; Government Relations industry)

December 2004 — December 2006 (2 years 1 month)

* Crafted legislative and congressional testimony for top agency officials.
* Coordinated with Communications Department on grant announcement press releases.
* Wrote, reviewed, and edited official correspondence for commissioners and senior management.
* Produced daily “Austin Update” of Capitol news for top agency officials.
* Wrote and edited Annual Reports and Strategic Plans for agency programs.
* Implemented and managed the Commission’s legislative tracking process.
* Authored bill analyses for agency legislation during the 79th Texas Legislature.
* Managed governmental relations activities on criminal justice, economic development, and education.
* Shepherded passage of legislation related to two agency programs.
* Represented TWC at P-16 Council staff meetings.
* Participated on project team for Governor’s Industry Clusters Initiative.
* Resolved constituent complaints for state legislators.
* Assisted Director of External Relations on special projects.
President
The Guenthner Group (Self-employed)

(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Public Relations and Communications industry)

January 2004 — December 2004 (1 year)

Provided media relations, research, policy counsel, and other services to Texas trade associations.
Managing Editor

The Lone Star Report

(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

November 1996 — December 2003 (7 years 2 months)

* Wrote multiple articles and laid out eight-page newsletter each week.
* Organized weekly content, including outside submissions.
* Presided over weekly editorial board meetings.
* Spoke to dozens of trade associations and civic groups.
* Interviewed on international and national television programs, and national and local talk radio programs.
* Quoted by prominent national magazines and daily newspapers as expert on Texas politics.
* Supervised subscription marketing.
* Developed budgets and strategic plan.
* Redesigned publication template twice.
* Maintained Internet site and redesigned three times.
* Negotiated and managed cross-marketing agreement with legislative tracking service web site.
Executive Assistant

Texas Risk Retention Association / Texas Association of Residential Care Communities

(Government Relations industry)

March 1995 — November 1996 (1 year 9 months)

* Edited and wrote articles for monthly newsletters of each association.
* Conducted research on federal and state legislation and political developments.
* Improved efficiency in office operations.
* Assisted with quarterly educational seminars and day-to-day operations.

David Guenthner’s Education

Trinity University

BA , Political Science / Speech Communications , 1989 — 1993

Minor in economics.
Emphasis in rhetorical theory, political communication, American politics, and constitutional law.

Activities and Societies:

Member, NDT Policy Debate Team
Member, President’s Council (Roundtable of Student Organization Presidents)
President, College Republicans at Trinity University
Founder and Chairman, Young Conservatives at Trinity University
Member, Lambda Pi Eta (Speech Communication National Honor Society)