Our Team
John Kroll
John has more than 25 years experience in the economic development, State and Local Tax and state government sectors. He has worked extensively on business activity, franchise, and sales and use taxes throughout the U.S. He has appeared as an invited expert on tax issues before members of Congress, the National Conference of State Legislatures, various trade and industry associations and regularly before the Texas Legislature.
Primarily concentrating on state and local tax issues, Kroll has extensive experience working on tax issues globally and for specific industries. He has a great working relationship with legislators from both parties, and his clients have enjoyed significant success advocating their position on taxation matters.
After graduating from Baylor University with degrees in Finance, Economics and International Business, John was Director of Operations and later Acting President of the Greater Austin San Antonio Corridor Council, a regional economic development, tax and transportation policy organization.
In 1998, after several years as the Executive Director of multiple rural economic development corporations, Mr. Kroll has been working as a valued consultant to businesses and municipalities of all sizes since then.
John has extensive knowledge of transportation, homeland security, cyber security, technology, tax and economic development issues, representing clients before state agencies, the Texas Legislature, and the federal government.
Kroll is a member of the Texas Economic Development Council, Rotary International and currently serves as a Director of the Texas Lyceum. He has received the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) designation by the National Development Council.
John served four terms on the Dripping Springs City Council and previously served as a member of the Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning Commission, the Dripping Springs ISD’s Long Range Planning Committee, the Walnut Springs Elementary Campus Advisory Council, and as a pro-bono consultant to the Dripping Springs Community Library Association. Kroll is a 5th generation resident of Dripping Springs, Texas.
Mike Lavigne
Although Mike’s most sought after specialty over the years had been media relations, messaging and crisis communications, he now regularly provides expertise on electoral and legislative strategies at the state and local levels. He also specializes in strategic aid to those with business before State and local governing bodies.
His decades-long relationships across Texas allow him to offer honest insight and quick integration into situations that are often more opaque to outsiders.
After over-enjoying his time at the University of Texas, Mike began his career in Texas politics in 1997 working on political campaigns and in legislative offices. After several regular and special sessions in both the State House and Senate, he served as Executive Director of the Texas Democratic Party for two and a half years. There, he oversaw the party’s first gains in the Texas House in a generation. Mike has provided strategic counsel to municipal, legislative, statewide, and national political campaigns.
Leaving partisan politics behind, Mike directed his efforts behind the scenes, using his experience, contacts and skill-set to help causes and clients find success all over the political playing field regardless of partisan affiliation. His expertise lies in helping people and organizations interact more efficiently with government and impact public policy and perception.
In his pro-bono life, Mike is a Commissioner on the City of Austin Downtown Commission. He’s also a long-time executive board member of The Austin Creative Alliance, and president of his neighborhood association.
In 2019 he opened a family-friendly ice cream shop /barcade and event space. He’s also a managing partner in a successful dance club and has interests in and consults on other food and beverage endeavors as well.
Mike’s got plenty of stories about politics, food, poker, and music but mostly he wants to help you tell your story to the right audience.
Nate Walker
Nate has 18 years of policy and political experience at the Texas, Travis County, and City of Austin levels of government. He is a Texas Ethics Commission registered lobbyist specializing in emergency services, state contracting for legal services, affordable housing, and transportation. He owns Blue Roots Strategies, Inc. and has consulted and provided campaign services to many members of the Texas House and Senate as well as Travis County Commissioners Court and Austin City Council.
His most recent campaign victory is the re-election of Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez. He has extensive relationships with members of the Texas Legislature, Travis County Commissioners Court, and Austin City Council.