We help clients navigate Texas government by developing creative solutions to the most challenging problems.
Services
Strategy Development
Political Landscape and Stakeholder Analysis
Legislative Process Navigation
Communications Services
Project Management
Lobbying
The 2FS Team
Second Floor Strategies is a full-service public policy consulting firm that leverages our extensive strategic experience to benefit our esteemed clients and brings solutions to tough challenges.
Click on the + symbols below to read more about our team, whose experience encompasses over 60 years at the Texas Capitol.
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Former Speaker of the Texas House
The Honorable Dennis Bonnen was sworn in as Texas House Speaker in January 2019. Elected by his colleagues, Speaker Bonnen set an early tone for unity in the House Chamber by empowering members to work together to achieve meaningful results that address the state’s most pressing issues. Known for having "the most strategic mind under the Pink Dome," Speaker Bonnen believes in real public policy solutions over political rhetoric.
Speaker Bonnen served in the Texas House of Representatives for 24 years, representing the 25th House District that encompasses southern Brazoria County and the entirety of Matagorda County. First elected to the Legislature at the age of 24, Bonnen joined the House in 1997 and completed his 12th term of office in January 2021.
Prior to becoming Speaker, Dennis served for three legislative sessions as Speaker Pro Tem, cultivating countless relationships based on bipartisanship. He presided as Chair and Vice-Chair over the Sunset Advisory Commission, and served as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee during the 84th and 85th sessions. Other significant appointments included Chair of the Environmental Regulation Committee, Chair of the House Special Purpose Districts Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency.
Currently, his professional endeavors include consulting for large-scale companies and prominent associations, while remaining a mentor to leaders in executive, legislative, and regulatory branches of Texas government. Texas boasts a citizen-led legislature and Dennis was no exception as he cultivated a strong reputation in the business world as founder and President/CEO of Heritage Bank in 2008, landing him on the Houston Business Journal's "40 Under 40" list. Twelve years later, he merged Heritage Bank with Third Coast Bank and was instrumental in taking it public in November 2021. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the board. Dennis is also President of Business Strategy for R&K Distributors, a beer distributor where his wife is the 4th generation of her family in the business.
Brazosport College dedicated their main campus building as the "Speaker Dennis H. Bonnen Central Building" in 2021 in honor of Dennis’ contributions to the college, surrounding Brazoria County communities, and industry partners.
Dennis is a proud graduate of St. Edward’s University. He and his wife Kim have two sons.
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2021 Rising Star - Capitol Inside’s Texas Power Lobby Ranking
Honored with the Lifetime Endowment of the "Shera Eichler Capitol Internship Program" in 2022
Shera is a familiar face to many in the hallways of the Texas Capitol where she is recognized for her passionate dedication as a trusted advisor and lead staffer for former House Speaker Dennis Bonnen of Brazoria County for nearly 18 years. Her longevity of honest, hard work has resulted in countless professional relationships and friendships with legislators and staff members, garnering the respect and admiration of decision makers under the Pink Dome.
Shera knows how to successfully navigate the Texas legislative process, having worked in the Texas House of Representatives as a Legislative Director, Chief of Staff, and Policy Advisor during her tenure. She led the Office of the Speaker as Director where she built upon her key connections in the Texas House and Senate, Office of the Governor, and crucial agencies across the state. She is well-known for her expertise in communication strategy development, project management, and coalition building, as well as her demonstrated prowess for advancing state policy priorities. Shera has a proficiency on matters of taxation, regulated industries, school finance and education reform, transportation, emergency preparedness, natural resources, property rights, insurance, special purpose districts, the Sunset Advisory Commission process, and many others, as demonstrated by the 292 House bills she supported Speaker Bonnen in ushering through the legislative process.
In addition to her legislative endeavors, Shera has successfully led PACs, political campaigns, and various fundraising efforts, while also developing a passion for strategic communications and public relations in the modern political world.
A proud University of Texas alumnus, Shera lives in Austin with her husband David and their two teenage daughters.
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Former Aide to Texas Governor, House Speaker, and Calendars Chairman
Kolton is a recognized legislative technician with strong relationships in the executive and legislative branches of Texas government.
Known for his earnest connections with lawmakers and staff on both sides of the aisle, he can bring parties together on challenging and politically sensitive issues.
As a former aide to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Kolton developed a reputation for integrity, trustworthiness, and hard work. He was witness to the intricacies of leadership within the most powerful office of state government. His years as an advisor and aide to Speaker Dennis Bonnen also gave him a front row seat in understanding the institution of the Texas House and how to develop consensus within a diverse body of lawmakers.
As Legislative Director to the influential and strategic Calendars Chairman Dustin Burrows in the Texas House, he has extensive experience in navigating the complexities of the legislative process and a passion for developing effective, common-sense solutions.
Kolton maintains a solid reputation as an honorable, loyal, and strategically minded public servant. This is evident with his many professional connections and friendships in and around the Capitol, where his presence and ideas remain welcomed, respected, and appreciated.
In addition to Kolton’s legislative work, he has supported several high-profile campaigns, participated in Get Out the Vote efforts, and consulted on political fundraising events. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Political Science.
Recognitions
Contact
512-496-6295
604 W 14th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
Dennis Bonnen
dennis@2fstx.com
Shera Eichler
shera@2fstx.com
Kolton McDougald
kolton@2fstx.com