Volume 25, Issue 1
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
Hiring of the Next TSA Director of Governmental Affairs
N. Martin Giesecke, MD, TSA President
When my term as President started, I thought the only major decisions necessary of me would be made in regards to the 83rd Legislature. I could not have been more mistaken. Even though decisions will still have to be made during the upcoming legislative session, please allow me to notify you of a couple of items of business that have manifested in the interim.
Shortly after assuming the Presidency from H. A. Tillmann Hein, it was brought to my affention that our Director of Governmental Affairs, Ms. Amy Jeter, had tendered her resignation. To say that I was stunned would have been an understatement. Here we were, less than two months away from the convocation of Texas’ 83rd Legislature, and we did not have a Director of Governmental Affairs.
The Ad‐Hoc Committee on the need for a Director of Governmental Affairs was formed. Members included Past‐ Presidents; Drs. Gregory Kronberg, Jeffrey Jekot, Catherine Scholl, Margaret Wilson and Scott Kercheville, Sherif Zaafran, me and Mr. Jaime Capelo (as an exofficio member). After deliberation of the TSA’s current manpower, candidate availability, and current circumstances the Committee determined that the TSA would be able to manage the 83rd Legislative Session without a Director of Governmental Affairs.
We had our chief Legislative Consultant, Mr. Jaime Capelo, and a recently hired additional consultant, Mr. Mike Toomey, to lead us through the legislative session. Though we were proceeding without a revamping of our Key Contact system, we looked to have the ability to cover our bases. Nevertheless, because of the shuffle of legislative staff (due to retiring legislators or those who were not re‐elected), we would keep our eyes open for a top prospect for our position.
As December came along, we were proceeding with the Committee’s plan, when Mr. Capelo informed me of a qualified candidate becoming available and that we should consider interviewing him. He explained Mr. Clayton Stewart, who worked for State Representative Mark Shelton (Ft. Worth), was now looking for another opportunity. Mr. Stewart had served as Chief of Staff and then campaign manager for Rep. Shelton’s bid for Senate District 10 that was unsuccessful by a narrow margin.
The Ad‐Hoc Committee on the need for a Director of Governmental Affairs was reconvened. This time, it was to review Mr. Stewart’s CV and assist with the interview. On Friday afternoon, December 14, Mr.
N. Martin Giesecke, MD
TSA President
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Clayton Stewart to the TSA family.
Stewart was interviewed at the TSA Office in Austin. Handling the in‐person interview was Drs. Kronberg, Scholl and Jekot. Drs. Wilson, Kercheville; and I participated by telephone.
Mr. Stewart had an exceptional interview, and with his background, is a highly qualified candidate to be the Director of Governmental Affairs. Knowing that he had already received some offers for employment, and not wanting to lose this opportunity to have such a distinguished candidate for our Director of Governmental Affairs, I offered him the position. Included in the offer was the same salary and benefits that were paid to our previous Director of Governmental Affairs.
On Saturday, December 15, Clayton telephoned me and accepted the job. Thus, the TSA will enter the 83rd Legislative Session with a full team. Clayton Stewart will be our Director of Governmental Affairs. Among his other expectations, he will be responsible for the renovation of our Key Contact Program.
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Clayton Stewart to the TSA family.
