Boyd
Gov. Rick Perry has named Jeff Boyd chief of staff and David Morales general counsel. He also named Allison Castle communications director, Josh Havens deputy press secretary, and Jonathan Hurst director of Budget, Planning and Policy.
Boyd most recently served as general counsel for the Governor's Office. Prior to that, he was a senior partner at Thompson & Knight in Austin, where he began his legal career in 1992 and became a partner in 1998. In 2000, he was appointed by then-Attorney General John Cornyn as Deputy Attorney General in charge of Civil Litigation and continued to serve in that position under General Abbott until he returned to Thompson & Knight in 2003.
Boyd is a member of the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee, past president and board member of Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, and past chair and board member of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian University and a law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Boyd lives in Austin with his wife, Jackie. They are parents to twin daughters, Hanna and Abbie, and a son, Carter.
Morales most recently served as deputy first assistant to General Abbott. Prior to that, he served as chief litigation counsel for the State of Texas. He began his career at the Office of the Attorney General as a law clerk in 1994, and became an Assistant Attorney General in the General Litigation Division. He later served as Associate Deputy Attorney General for Litigation, Chief Ethics Advisor, and Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation. Morales is a graduate of St. Mary's University School of Law, Leadership Austin and the Governor's Executive Development Program. He and his wife, Mary, live in Austin with their five daughters.
Castle most recently served as special assistant for communications to Gov. Perry. Prior to that, she served as the governor's press secretary and deputy press secretary. She has more than 12 years' communications experience in both the public and private sectors. Castle has also served as a senior associate at ROSS Communications. She received a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. Castle lives in Austin with her husband and twin daughters.
Havens has worked in the Governor's Office for more than seven years, currently serving as an advisor on homeland security and emergency management issues. Prior to that, he served as executive aide to Gov. Perry and worked on the governor's 2006 gubernatorial campaign. Havens received a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Angie, live in Austin and are expecting their first child next spring.
Hurst most recently served as deputy director of Budget, Planning and Policy. Prior to that, he served as an advisor to Gov. Perry on state budget and fiscal policy issues. He has also worked as an equity trader with a trading firm in Austin, as an analyst specializing in public finance for First Southwest Company, and as an analyst for the Senate Finance Committee, focusing on criminal justice, public safety, border security, regulatory, transportation and economic development issues. Hurst served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and completed one tour of duty in Iraq. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.