AUSTIN, Texas – Legislative staff member Oberlyn “Obie” Salinas and former Edinburg Economic Development Corporation executive director Agustin “Gus” Garcia have announced a new partnership.
They have formed a boutique firm, to be called Shepherd Government Affairs focused on government and regulatory relations, public affairs, and strategic planning in economic development.
Salinas has served as the chief of staff to State Representative Poncho Nevárez for the past five years. He has experience staffing the House Calendars Committee, House Local & Consent Calendars Committee and House Natural Resources Committee, as well as shepherding the passage of local bills related to water districts and hotel occupancy taxes.
Salinas was Nevárez’ campaign manager when he was first elected in 2012 and has decades of experience advising elected officials on their political campaigns. He is originally from Edinburg, Texas and now resides in Georgetown, Texas, where he is married to Amy Rister, also a long time political staffer.
“Obie’s strategic advice and political intuitiveness has been invaluable to me since I first began in public service. I am grateful for his leadership of my capitol staff and campaigns,” said state Rep. Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass.
Garcia previously served as the City of Edinburg’s executive director for economic development. Garcia graduated from UTRGV with a degree in accounting and the University of Oklahoma’s Institute of Economic Development. He is a certified economic developer. Garcia was first elected to the Edinburg City Council in 2006 and served as Mayor Pro Tempore until 2013.
In a news release, Salinas and Garcia point out that in January 2017, under Garcia’s leadership, Edinburg was ranked in the Top 5 most improved cities in the nation since the 2008 recession.
“The City of Edinburg is leading the Rio Grande Valley in 18 areas including jobs, construction, and population growth. Edinburg hit numerous economic development records during Garcia’s tenure. In April 2017, Edinburg announced the largest creation of jobs in its 109-year history,” the news release states.
“As a certified economic developer, along with past successes at the local level, Garcia brings a wide breadth of knowledge and experience to the company.”
“Gus’ fingerprints are literally on every aspect of Edinburg’s growth these last 13 years,” said former Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia.
