Esteemed public school consulting firm Moak Casey continues its growth with the addition of legislative strategy expert Ginger Averitt.
Averitt, who will take the role of director of advocacy services in September 2022, is the latest to join the consulting firm, which serves school district leaders and policymakers in school finance and accountability.
The company was acquired on July 1, 2022, by Dr. Buck Gilcrease, CEO; State Representative Dan Huberty (R-Humble), board member; Charles Clines, chairman of the board; Chris Huckabee, board member; and Charles Butt, investor. In addition, Leo Lopez, former associate commissioner and chief school finance officer for the Texas Education Agency, was added to the leadership team as chief financial officer in August.
“Moak Casey has always been such a well-respected consulting firm for school districts in Texas, and the new executive team includes Texas’ top minds in school finance and accountability. I am thrilled to bring my unique perspective to the firm and build on Moak Casey’s legacy as the leading public school consulting firm in the state,” said Averitt.
For more than 20 years, Averitt worked at the Texas Capitol with some of the most admired leaders in the state. Throughout her career, she has forged and maintained bi-partisan relationships that help advance legislation for her clients.
“As we build our company, we know the importance of having top-notch professionals with strong relationships with lawmakers to help drive advocacy. Ginger has dedicated her entire career to serving public and higher education in the State of Texas and has a wealth of experience navigating the intricacies of legislative processes at the Capitol. With her extensive knowledge of public policy issues, including public education, school finance, higher education, economic development, taxation and the state budget, Ginger will be an excellent addition to our team of diverse professionals,” said Moak Casey CEO Buck Gilcrease and Moak Casey board member Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Humble).
Averitt began her career in the Texas House of Representatives as a messenger before rising through the ranks. She then worked in the Senate Finance Committee under Chairman Sen. Teel Bivins (R-Amarillo) as legislative director and eventually chief of staff for Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo). During her time at the Capitol, Ginger was instrumental in driving legislation that allows students who fail state exams to graduate if they meet specific requirements set forth by Individual Graduation Committees. Averitt is highly regarded by members and staff and is viewed as a subject matter expert on education issues.
“I have always appreciated Ginger’s willingness to seek an understanding of critical education policy issues and then help develop and support reasonable policy solutions. She has been involved in several education policy matters that benefit all students and educators in Texas,” said Alief ISD Superintendent HD Chambers.
Moak Casey serves as an independent source of high-quality, data-driven public education information that is instrumental to school district leaders and policymakers. The firm, in its 25th year, provides up-to-the minute research and analyses of issues impacting public school finance, accountability and assessment, economic development and other areas of education to help clients smoothly navigate the intricacies of the Texas Legislature.
