Tristan “Tris” Castañeda, Jr.

Tristan “Tris” Castañeda, Jr., has more than thirty-seven years of applied experience in local and state government relations bringing a thoughtful, solution-oriented approach to navigating all components of the public policy process, helping clients realize their ultimate business or public policy goals.

Experience

Castañeda joined Longbow Partners as an equity partner in 2013 and is responsible for business development, direct advocacy, and counseling Longbow’s clients on environmental, transportation, alcohol, workers’ compensation, mental health, appropriations, tax, economic development, land use, telecommunications, and utility matters in connection with the Texas Legislature and various permit and rulemaking issues before state agencies.

Over the years, Castañeda has earned a reputation as a strategic thinker of uncommon insight and creativity. He has represented and provided strategic counsel to a wide variety of private, public, and non-profit organizations, helping clients frame and refine their business or public policy objectives, strengthening the effectiveness of their engagement, and delivering results in appropriations, regulatory decisions, and the passage or defeat of legislation that makes a material difference.

Before joining Longbow Partners, Castañeda managed for 10 years the Texas government relations practice at Baker Botts, L.L.P., an international law firm. During that time, he was responsible for all aspects of representing clients before government, helping them identify and anticipate problems, developing precise and thoughtful strategies, along with the necessary reinforcing tactics to achieve client legislative, regulatory, or business goals.

Prior to joining Baker Botts L.L.P. in 2003, Castañeda was a financial partner in a highly successful independent lobby practice for more than seven years where he served as the primary consultant to clients he developed and to several of the firm’s other clients.

Earlier in his career, Castañeda worked in the Texas Attorney General’s Office as part of the Intergovernmental Relations team, working on appropriations, insurance, health care, money laundering, municipal, and environmental issues. Castañeda also worked as the Vice President of Government Relations for The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, leading the Chamber’s advocacy efforts at the state and local levels, including various community bond packages.

In addition to his state government relations experience, Castañeda garnered substantial municipal government experience, having worked as a Special Assistant to former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros. Castañeda also served as Chief of Staff to Walter Martinez, a San Antonio City Councilmember.

Castañeda graduated from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Political Science and Public Administration, and minoring in Economics (1985). He subsequently earned a master’s degree in Public and Institutional Administration, also from St. Mary’s (1988).