Tristan “Tris” Castañeda, Jr.

Tristan “Tris” Castañeda, Jr. has more than thirty-five years of applied experience in local and state government relations. Castañeda joined Longbow Partners as an equity partner and is responsible for business development, direct advocacy, and counseling Longbow’s clients on environmental, transportation, workers’ compensation, 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 successfully represented and provided strategic counsel to numerous private sector, public sector, and non-profit interests.

Experience

Before joining Longbow Partners, for 10 years Castañeda managed the Texas government relations practice at Baker Botts, L.L.P., a large international law firm. During that time, he was responsible for all aspects of state government advocacy.

Prior to joining Baker Botts L.L.P., 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 several of the Firm’s clients.

Earlier in his career, Castañeda worked in the Texas Attorney General’s Office as part of the Intergovernmental Relations team, focused 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 all advocacy efforts at the state and local levels.

In addition to his state government relations experience, Castañeda has substantial municipal government experience, having worked as a Special Assistant to former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros among other assignments within the administration. Castañeda also served as Chief of Staff to 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).