In late 2022, PLUS Communications marked a significant milestone when it opened its third office in Austin, Texas. Since that time, PLUS’ Lone Star State team has grown to seven members who lead our Texas-based issue advocacy and media campaigns for corporations, trade associations, non-profits and coalitions.
Learn more about our growing Texas team and their unique, longstanding history, living and working in the Lone Star State:
John Wittman Public Affairs, Partner
What is your connection to Texas?
I have lived in the Lone Star State, specifically Austin, for a decade.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
For nearly a decade, I worked for Texas Governor Greg Abbott in a variety of communications positions, including serving as his communications director, and I now proudly lead PLUS’ Texas office.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
Big fan of the Love is Blind series on Netflix!
Learn more: John Wittman, PLUS Communications partner and head of our Austin office, sat down to discuss how Texas’ political and business landscape is evolving and our team’s capabilities across the state. Watch the interviewhere.
KC Jones Dennehy Public Affairs, Managing Director
What is your connection to Texas?
I was born in Lubbock, raised in Midland, and grew up exploring the vast greatness of West Texas at our family ranch outside of Barstow on the Pecos River.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
Interned for Governor Bush in 1998 as one of the very first hires on his Presidential Exploratory Committee in 1999. After that, I worked on both of his presidential campaigns and proudly served President Bush in the executive office of The White House in Presidential Personnel Appointments to Boards and Commissions.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
I’m a fourth generation Texan – my ancestors moved to West Texas in a covered wagon in 1849.
Julia Mirich Public Affairs, Managing Director
What is your connection to Texas?
I graduated from the Texas Christian University (TCU) M.J. Neeley School of Business.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
I’ve managed public affairs campaigns for both federal and state issues impacting Texans for nearly a decade. I have also previously interned at various organizations, including J.P. Solutions, a strategic management consulting firm in Fort Worth.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
During my time at TCU, I played on the TCU Club Lacrosse Team, held an on-campus job all four years, and volunteered at Tarrant County Churches Together as mentor and tutor.
Sam Taylor Public Affairs, Senior Director
What is your connection to Texas?
Growing up in Texas, I attended Texas public schools in Friendswood for grades K-12 and I’ve spent the bulk of my career telling the good story of the Lone Star State across the world.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
I worked for the Texas state government from 2015 to 2019 and again from 2021 to 2023, including as a press assistant and deputy press secretary for Governor Abbott. During that time, I served as head of communications for four Texas Secretaries of State, including in my capacity as assistant secretary of state for communications. I also worked for U.S Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) from 2019 to 2020 where I was proud to serve the good people of West Texas.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
Since 2016, I’ve been playing country, rock and blues music in the Texas Hill Country, and I’m very active in the broader Central Texas musician community.
Lindsey Reynolds Digital, Manager
What is your connection to Texas?
I graduated from Baylor University.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
As part of the digital team, I helped lead the digital department for our Texas team and was proud to help pitch and win our first Texas-based digital client who does important work to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their care providers.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
Won two Big XII championships as the manager of the women’s soccer team and managed the team through two Elite 8 runs in the NCAA championship playoffs.
Avery Dishaw Public Affairs, Senior Associate
What is your connection to Texas?
I’m a fourth generation Texan, born and raised in Houston. I graduated from Texas Tech University in May 2022.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
For the last few years, I worked in the Texas State Legislature where I was able to help my former boss author and pass the largest property tax cut in Texas history.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
I am a huge fan of the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, and Kansas City Chiefs (I went to Pat Mahomes University, of course!)
Shianne Lum Public Affairs, Associate
What is your connection to Texas?
I’m a Dallas native and grew up in Plano, Texas and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.
Tell us about your professional experiences and work history in Texas.
I worked for the Texas-based nonprofit Wonders & Worries for a year, helping to launch their national campaign, and covered the 88th Texas Legislative Session for the Fort Worth Report.
What is a fun fact we may not know?
I was published both digitally and in print for several UT-Austin publications, including Drift Magazine, Spark Magazine and The Daily Texan.