About the Governmental Relations (GR) Division

One of TASB's primary purposes is to represent school boards when lawmakers make decisions affecting Texas school districts. TASB's Governmental Relations Division monitors legislative developments, keeps members up to date on activities at the Capitol in Austin, and promotes TASB's Advocacy Agenda face-to-face with state and federal lawmakers, the State Board of Education, and other agencies.

To contact the Governmental Relations Division, call 800.580.4885 or 512.478.4044.

Governmental Relations staff

Grover S. Campbell, Associate Executive Director

Grover S. Campbell is the associate executive director for TASB Governmental Relations. Campbell has spent over four decades in and around the Texas Capitol before joining TASB in 2013. Prior to that, he was the longest serving vice chancellor for governmental relations for the University of Houston System and the University of Houston -- holding that position from 1984 until 2012.

Campbell began working at the Texas Capitol in 1973 in the Texas House of Representatives in several staff positions. From 1978 until 1984 he was special assistant for governmental relations for The University of Texas System. 

Originally from Dallas, he attended The University of Texas at Austin where he received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's degree in business administration.

Dax Gonzalez, Division Director

Dax Gonzalez serves as division director of TASB GR. He joined TASB in 2006 as GR’s communications manager. Previously, Dax managed internal communications, media and public relations for the Physician Insurers Association of America in Rockville, MD, and worked as a public affairs client executive in the Austin office of Burson-Marsteller. Prior to that, he served as managing director of Content Communications, a small public relations and speechwriting firm in Arlington, VA.

A Native Texan, Dax was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. He attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations.

Ruben Longoria, Assistant Director

Ruben Longoria, Jr., joined TASB's Governmental Relations staff as an assistant director in March 2007. He is primarily responsible for school business issues and serves as the division’s federal liaison. Longoria has more than 14 years of experience working both in the House of Representatives and the Senate at the state Capitol. While working at the Capitol, Longoria drafted legislation, developed policy initiatives, and coordinated efforts with state agencies and other legislative offices.
 
Longoria grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and earned an undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts from Seton Hall University.

Whitney Broughton, Assistant Director

Whitney P. Broughton joined TASB’s governmental relations staff as an Assistant Director in April of 2020.  Most recently, Whitney served as the Chief Information Officer for the Texas System of Education Service Centers.  Prior to that, she worked in the office of state Senator Kelly Hancock, assisting him with the Administration Committee and education policy issues.  Previously, Whitney served as an education advisor for Governor Rick Perry and a legislative correspondent for Senator John Cornyn.

Whitney is originally from Houston, Texas graduating from Pearland High School.  She graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. She obtained a master’s in Public Service and Administration from the George Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University.

Raif Calvert, Assistant Director

Raif Calvert is an Assistant Director for TASB Governmental Relations.

Calvert began his career in the Capitol in 1998 working for the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He then transitioned to the Executive Branch serving as a legislative liaison for two previous Attorneys General. Subsequently, he served as an advocate for the Texas Medical Association and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.

A native Austinite, Calvert attended Texas Tech University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English. In addition, Calvert earned a Juris Doctor from the Pepperdine School of Law and is licensed to practice in Texas.