Lara Laneri Keel has more than 15 years experience with Texas politics. She has worked in association with the Texas Lobby Group since 2002.
Lara Keel Texas Lobbyist
Tel: 512.473.2646
Fax 512.473.2789
lara@txlobby.com
Present Position:
Lara Laneri Keel has more than 15 years experience with Texas politics. She has worked in association with the Texas Lobby Group since 2002. Capitol Inside ranked Mrs. Keel as the top female hired gun lobbyist in the state in 2011.
Immediate Past Positions:
Mrs. Keel had a career in the Texas Senate for the 75th and 76th sessions and was a lobbyist for the largest business group in our state – The Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce (TABCC). She has experience lobbying our state legislature, State & Executive agencies, and has lobbied the United States Congress on important employer issues. When she was a Government Affairs Director, she led a 3 level campaign that involved grassroots organizations, communications and coalitions, as well as legislative lobbying.
Education:
B.A. in Political Science, Minor in History – Texas Tech University (1993)
Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Psi Chapter
Civic Activities, Achievements, & Awards:
- Top Rated Female “Top Hired Gun Lobbyist” List, Texas Lobby Power Rankings by Capitol Inside (2011)
- Austin Business Journal Women of Power/Influence Winner (2010)
- “Top Hired Gun Lobbyist” List, Texas Lobby Power Rankings by Capitol Inside (2009)
- “Rising Lobby Star to Watch” – Texas Lobby Power Rankings by Capitol Inside (2006, 2007)
- Texas Women for the Arts (2010-2013)
- Board Member – Texas Conservative Coalition (2007-present)
- Executive Committee Member – Texas Conservative Coalition (2008-present)
- Board Member – Texas Association of Business (2003- 2007) (2009-present)
- Texas Women’s Alliance (2005)
- Executive Committee Member – Texas Association of Business (2004)
- Member – Professional Advocacy Association of Texas (2003 to present)
- Power Pipeline, A Leadership Texas Program (1999)
- Founder and Volunteer – Grinch’s Gala (1994 – 2005)
- Volunteer – Texans for Todd Staples (1995)
- Volunteer – Texans for Rick Perry (1994)
Policy Initiatives and Agency Workgroups:
“Texas State Planning Grant” – Texas Department of Insurance. (2002).
“Making an Impact: Reforming Health Care Services in Texas” – Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, LIFT Task Force on Health and Human Services. (1999 and 2001).
“E-Texas Commission Report” – State Comptrollers Office. (2000).
Long Term Care Planning Committee – Department of Human Services. (1999).
Newspaper and Magazine References:
“The rankings in 2011 reflect the growing presence and clout that a newer generation of public affairs professionals have now at the Capitol as the proverbial torch is passed to them. Keel is a prime example – having been elevated to partnership status with lobby titans Bill Messer and Toomey in the star-studded group they lead at the same time she’s become the go-to lobbyist for Republican women legislators at the Capitol where there are twice as many of them as there were two years ago. Keel – as a result – has vaulted into the top 20 on the hired gun lobby list after being ranked a rising star lobbyists just four years ago.”
Capitol Inside, January 2011.
When the Texas Legislature’s new Republican members arrived in Austin for their first session this month, one of the first things they learned was where to find Mike Toomey and Lara Keel. As two of the three partners at the city’s most high-powered lobby shop when it comes to Republican ties, Toomey and Keel have taken most if not all of the GOP’s 31 freshmen lawmakers under their wings as informal advisors on the art of passing legislation, protocol and other fundamental elements of the legislative process in Texas. In an arena that’s governed by a maze of complex and serpentine operating procedures and lined with more political landmines than opportunities for early success, the wisdom and friendship that the two lobby mentors are imparting will be highly valuable as the first-term Republicans attempt to navigate their way through their legislative debuts without fouling up.”
Capitol Inside, January 2011.
“I can think of no one who is a greater woman of power and influence in representing businesses before the Legislature and agencies in Texas than Lara Keel. She is a standout in her field.”
Austin Business Journal, Nancy Ebe, President, Ebe & Associates, July 30, 2010.
“And its lobbyists are among the most influential…… Lara Laneri Keel, another Republican heavyweight who previously lobbied for the Texas Association of Business and serves on the board of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute”.
Dallas Morning News, January 7, 2009.
Some of the lobby’s brightest young members like …… Lara Keel ….. Have graduated from the rising stars list in 2007”.
Capitol Inside, January 23, 2009.
Keel, who’s married to State Auditor John Keel, is surrounded by stars as a charter member of the Texas Capitol Group…….”
Capitol Inside, January 23, 2009.
“Lara Laneri Keel – a former Texas Association of Business governmental affairs manager who was an aide to Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief when he was a state senator- has been part of the group led by Mike Toomey and Bill Messer before she joined them in the new Texas Capitol Group. Keel’s husband is State Auditor John Keel – the former executive director of the Legislative Budget Board”.
Capitol Inside, January 31, 2006.
“A longtime politico in her own right, who, when she married, took one of the most recognizable names in Austin politics.”
Pete Slover and Robert Garrett, Dallas Morning News, May 5, 2005.
“In September 2000, lobbyist Lara Laneri Keel married John Keel, director of the Legislative Budget Board – the chief numbers czar for state budget writers…. Then she joined a powerhouse lobby firm, the Texas Lobby Group.”
Pete Slover and Robert Garrett, Dallas Morning News, May 5, 2005.
“Lara has worked every aspect of healthcare legislation and will be a positive asset to TABCC. She knows the politics, the process and the issues that will make her very effective in promoting the TABCC message.”
Fort Worth Mayor and former State Senator Mike Moncrief, Texas Business Report, October 2000.