Jennifer Waisath Harris

Current

Director at ROSS Communications Inc.
Office Director at Friends of Tony Garza

Past

Press Officer at Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Press Secretary at Texas Secretary of State
Director at Public Strategies, Inc.

Communications Director at Texas Railroad Commission
Executive Staff - Correspondence and Special Projects at Texas Secretary of State
Retail Management Program - Financial Services at Texas Commerce Bank
Intern at Office of the Governor

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Education

The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin

Recommended

5 people have recommended Jennifer

Connections

153 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Websites

Jennifer Waisath Harris’s Summary

Extensive experience in media relations, grassroots communications and public affairs campaign management.

Jennifer Waisath Harris’s Specialties:

Public affairs consulting work in a variety of industry fields including energy, health care, pharmaceutical, transportation, agriculture and telecom.

Jennifer Waisath Harris’s Experience

Director

ROSS Communications Inc.

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

January 2006 — Present (3 years 11 months)

Manage accounts and advise clients on public affairs and communications strategies;
Provide consulting services to state and national clients in the pharmaceutical, health care, telecommunications and transportation sectors;
Coordinate firm’s marketing efforts, including drafting proposals and pitches; and
Write and edit a variety of firm and client publications and communication materials, including op-eds, news releases, web sites and newsletters.
Office Director

Friends of Tony Garza

(Political Organization industry)

October 1997 — Present (12 years 2 months)

Served as political director and communications manager for election of Tony Garza, the state's first Hispanic Republican elected to statewide office;
Oversaw political office during Garza's term as Railroad Commissioner; and
Continue to handle maintenance of Garza's political office and filings while during and after his service as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico;
Experienced in grassroots development, media relations, fundraising and writing.
Press Officer

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Government Administration industry)

October 2004 — January 2006 (1 year 4 months)

Served as spokesperson for health and human services, coordinating response and messaging for complex issues including Medicaid, CHIP, outsourcing and contracting.
Developed communications strategy and talking points for agency staff and leaders.
Managed internal and external web site content; oversee agency web redesign.
Assisted with internal, external and stakeholder communications, including drafting press releases, contacts database development and other projects as assigned.
Press Secretary

Texas Secretary of State

(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Government Administration industry)

October 2003 — August 2004 (11 months)

Served as press secretary and communications director for Texas Secretary of State Geoff Connor.
Director

Public Strategies, Inc.

(Privately Held; Public Relations and Communications industry)

2001 — 2002 (1 year )

Managed public affairs campaign and marketing efforts for the firm's International Division, including work for Fortune 100 financial services company with work in Mexico and a leading brewery in Mexico.
Communications Director

Texas Railroad Commission

(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Government Administration industry)

January 1999 — December 2002 (4 years )

Served as communications director for Texas Railroad Commissioner Tony Garza. Managed media relations, industry news updates and web site.
Executive Staff - Correspondence and Special Projects

Texas Secretary of State

(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Government Administration industry)

October 1996 — September 1997 (1 year )

Wrote and edited official correspondence for Secretary of State Tony Garza and for Governor George W. Bush. Assisted International Liaison with research and writing projects. Managed Secretary's database.
Retail Management Program - Financial Services

Texas Commerce Bank

(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Banking industry)

June 1995 — October 1996 (1 year 5 months)

Graduate of retail management training program at wholly-owned subsidiary of Chase. Demonstrated proficiency in all areas of consumer banking, including sales and credit.
Intern

Office of the Governor

(Government Agency; 51-200 employees; Government Administration industry)

January 1995 — May 1995 (5 months)

Served as intern in Governor George W. Bush's press office. Handled morning clips.

Jennifer Waisath Harris’s Education

The University of Texas at Austin

MA , Journalism , 2001 — 2002
The University of Texas at Austin

BA with Honors , Government, Post-Soviet Studies , 1991 — 1995

Activities and Societies:

Vice president -Pi Sigma Alpha - Political Science Honor Society, Member -Liberal Arts Council, Resident advisor - University Towers Dormitory

Additional Information

Jennifer Waisath Harris’s Websites:

Jennifer Waisath Harris’s Groups:

First United Methodist Church - Past Administrative Board Member
Austin Area Texas Exes - Past Board Member, Past Membership Involvement Chair
Austin Sister Cities International - Board Member