Governor Abbott Announces Staff Changes
Governor Greg Abbott’s Legislative Director, Randy Erben, today announced his departure from the governor’s office after serving on behalf of the Governor since his Inauguration earlier this year. Jay Dyer, Governor Abbott’s current Deputy Legislative Director, will assume the role of Legislative Director with Ashley Morgan, the Governor’s current Senior Legislative Advisor, assuming the position of Deputy Legislative Director.
“What the Office of the Governor was able to achieve in the 84th legislative session was due in no small part to Randy Erben’s tireless efforts as my Legislative Director,” said Governor Abbott. "I am grateful to Randy for his steadfast commitment and service to the State of Texas, and I wish him the best.” Governor Abbott continued, ”Legislators throughout the capitol have come to recognize and trust my legislative team as some of the most hard working, fair and professional officials in state government, and I’m confident in Jay and Ashley’s ability to continue and grow upon that success.”
“It has been a privilege and an honor to work for Governor Abbott, a proven leader with bold ideas to elevate the State of Texas to greater heights,” said Randy Erben. “At the outset of the 84th legislative session, Governor Abbott put forth sweeping initiatives to improve our education and transportation systems, lower taxes and secure the border, and by working with lawmakers in the House and Senate, we were able to pass and sign all of these emergency initiatives, among others, into law. I am proud to have played a small part in Governor Abbott’s plan to make Texas an even better place to call home, and I wish Jay and Ashley the best of luck as they assume these honorable positions.”
Prior to serving as Legislative Director for Governor Abbott, Randy Erben was owner of the Erben & Yarbrough law firm in Austin, Texas since 1993. He served as a senior official at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development beginning in 1991, as director of the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations in Texas Governor Bill Clements’ administration in 1990 and as Assistant Secretary of State in the Office of the Texas Secretary of State from 1987 to 1989. Erben began his career as an associate at Foster, Lewis, Langley, Gardner & Banack in San Antonio, Texas before becoming Partner in 1986. He graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1981. Following his departure, Erben will serve as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Austin Law School.
Jay Dyer is Governor Abbott’s current Deputy Legislative Director. Before accepting a position in the Office of the Governor, Dyer served as Deputy Attorney General for Intergovernmental Relations and Special Assistant/Senior Counsel to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott from 2010 to 2014 and 2008 to 2010, respectively. Dyer occupied the position of General Counsel to the Texas Secretary of State from 2006 to 2008, served as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Texas Association of Builders from 2003 to 2006 and was an Associate Attorney for Vinson and Elkins from 1998 to 2002. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995 and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1998.
Ashley Morgan currently serves as Senior Legislative Advisor to Governor Abbott. She served as Division Chief of the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Information and Assistance Division from 2012 to 2014, as Special Counsel to former Texas Railroad Commissioner Buddy Garcia in 2012 and as his Special Counsel at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from 2010 to 2012. She formerly served in Governor Perry's Appointments Office and Lieutenant Governor's Office. She also worked for State Senator Todd Staples. Morgan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communications and political science from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1998 and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 2007.