(b) (6) SUSAN COMBS cell: (b) (6) (b) (6) SENIOR EXECUTIVE 16 years of statewide elected leadership providing strategic and innovative management, efficient fiscal and operational oversight, successful implementation of practical and innovative public- private partnerships, and effective management of media and public relations. Dynamic, results-oriented, proven strong and effective leader with superior organizational skills. Public servant for two decades. National leader in effectively protecting economy while managing federal government regulations. Possesses clear understanding of public policy and citizen engagement through work at grassroots level. Outstanding record of reducing government regulations while increasing transparency and efficiency. Small business owner for 35+ years. Additional areas of expertise and strength include: Visionary Leadership High-stakes Negotiations Public-Private Partnership Development Government Policy, Regulations and Relations (Agriculture, Natural Resources and Fiscal Matters) Media and Public Relations HIGHLIGHTS OF PUBLIC ELECTED SERVICE Comptroller and Treasurer, State of Texas, 2007-2015 Elected in 2006 and reelected in 2010 as the state’s chief financial officer, tax administrator, treasurer and accountant for the state’s annual $113B budget. Ensured taxes were collected fairly and efficiently to fund essential programs for the people of Texas. Served as purchasing officer for 221 state agencies and over 1700 local entities. Analyzed trends and factors impacting jobs, economic development and the state’s fiscal health. Notable accomplishments include: Transformed crucial state agency responsible for handling Texas Treasury, and running all statewide financial accounting systems. Saved $12 million across the agency in first two years of term, as well as created new and accurate set of financial systems covering entire state to ensure government transparency. Streamlined agency, enabling it to assume additional responsibilities, without adding staff. Created nation’s first financial data base to measure academic performance and fiscal efficiency of Texas public schools. Created nation’s most innovative structure to protect agriculture and vital energy sector in one of nation’s most important oil and gas areas, while complying with Endangered Species Act in dealing with Dunes Sagebrush Lizard, successfully prevailing in court. Created job training program for high growth, high demand careers, and monitored funds spent, resulting in high ROI. Recaptured nearly $600 Million in unremitted but owed sales taxes. Cut nearly $400 million in government purchasing. Returned $1.3 Billion in unclaimed property to its rightful owners, more than the prior 44 years total. Texas Agriculture Commissioner, 1999-2007 Elected in 1998 and reelected in 2002 as the state’s first female agriculture commissioner, overseeing pesticide and regulatory functions, marketing and rural economic development for state’s second largest industry. Notable accomplishments include: Worked with farmers and ranchers to ensure access to markets, improve rural economic development efforts and streamline all agency functions. Worked with US Department of Agriculture to manage the Child Nutrition Program, winning awards for groundbreaking efforts. Opened and expanded markets across agriculture commodities and specialties, and created matching state fund for marketing and promoting Texas agriculture products, producing 1000% ROI in first year. Placed regulatory programs online allowing greater public access and more efficient use of staff time, in order to assume additional functions to assist agriculture. Led delegation to South America for dairy and beef sector, and strengthened trade and regulatory relationship with Mexico. Had long-standing and effective research partnership with State of Israel and major Texas universities for agricultural sector. Created the Recovery Credit System, the nation’s most innovative program bringing landowners, ranchers, and military at Fort Hood together with other stakeholders to protect the economy, as well as the nation’s defense mission, while complying with the Endangered Species Act. This model is being used across the country. Coordinated various national activities with fellow state agriculture commissioners to strengthen, elevate and protect this critical part of the nation’s economy and independence. Texas State Representative, HD 47, 1993-1996 Elected in 1992 and reelected in 1994 to represent western half of Travis County in the Texas Legislature. Notable accomplishments include: Wrote and passed Texas landmark private property legislation. Wrote and passed legislation requiring government accountability in schools. Leader in local land use regulations related to the Endangered Species Act, and city of Austin water and land use regulations. Elected President of the Republican freshman class. BUSINESS ACTIVITIES Manager and owner of 125-year-old family ranching operation in far West Texas: cow calf operation for thirty years, and hunting and grazing management to present. PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY Founder and Principal, Texans for Positive Economic Policy, 2014 to present Produces information showcasing conservative Texas policies in Texas business, taxing, regulation and education that propelled its economy forward. Also created Texas Smart Schools, a statewide database. Visiting Senior Fellow, Texas Public Policy Foundation, 2015 to present Work with 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan research institute on issues of public policy, including the state budget, government spending and debt, property rights and fighting federal overreach. Founder and President, The Anywhere Woman Project, 2015 to present Online platform whose goal is empowering women across the state and nation. EDUCATION BA, Vassar College JD, University of Texas School of Law CURRENT BOARD ACTIVITIES Honorary Vice President, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Director, Texas Wildlife Association Fellow, University of Texas Center for Identity –research and education center on issues ofdata and identity security Vice Chair, Texas Aspires – statewide public education non profit Board Member, It’s Time Texas – statewide health non profit collaboration with University of Texas System Population Health Center​ SELECTED HONORS & AWARDS Texas Trailblazer for Transparency Award, Americans for Prosperity (2013) Government Technology magazine’s top 25 “Doers, Dreamers and Drivers” (2009) Outstanding Public Servant Award, Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor (2007) American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding GovernmentService (2006) Texas Women’s Hall of Fame (2004) National Hero in the Fight Against Obesity, Time-ABC News Summit on Obesity (2004) Leader of the Year in Texas Agriculture, The Progressive Farmer (2002) Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture, Texas County Ag Agencies Association (2001) PERSONAL Married to Joe W. Duran for 41 years, parents of (b) (6) POLITICAL ACTIVITY Lifelong Republican, serving as Republican office holder in various capacities Donor both personal and through campaign funds to Republican candidates Actively assist and endorse local, state, and national Republican candidates Member of Texas Federation of Republican Women (1991 to present) Creator of Farm and Ranch Coalition for national election of George W. Bush (2000) MEDIA APPEARANCES Featured in TIME magazine, Fox News, Bloomberg, Bond Buyer, the Wall Street Journal Online, the Washington Post, Univision, and other state and national media outlets. Published in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, USA Today, major state newspapers, as well as local, state, and national TV and radio media.