In 2009, veteran Texas Capitol staffers Jerry Philips and Kurt Meachum teamed up to launch Philips & Meachum Public Affairs, a full-service public affairs and governmental relations firm based in Austin, Texas. In 2023, Jaclyn Uresti, Mexican American Legislative Caucus President and national political advisor, joined the firm. Thanks to consistent and steady growth, Philips Uresti Meachum Partners is proud to represent a broad range of clients, including public and private corporations, governmental and quasi-governmental entities, professional and trade associations, non-profits, and advocacy organizations.

What we do

Strategic
Public Affairs

Philips Uresti Meachum Partners utilizes more than 70 years of combined legislative, political, campaign and business experience to help our clients assess risk, identify opportunity, develop strategy and effectively manage the political and public policy landscape.

Our institutional knowledge of the Texas political process, and meaningful relationships with elected leaders, staff, candidates and community influencers, perfectly positions our firm to effectively advocate and achieve results for the clients that trust our ability and judgement.

WHAT WE VALUE

  • Honesty & Integrity Our word matters and reputations are earned. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we engage in the political process.
  • Meaningful Relationships We believe the best relationships are meaningful and long-term. We build relationships on trust and mutual respect.
  • Strategy & Analysis Our institutional knowledge of Texas politics allows us to efficiently analyze a problem and effectively craft the most strategic solution.
  • Communication & Advocacy Honest and transparent communication enhances our ability to advocate. A clear communications strategy with the client and audience creates long-term success.
  • Expertise & Understanding We take the time and put in the work to fully understand the industries and issues. Our knowledge of the legislative process and political landscape is a competitive advantage.
  • Persistence & Hard Work When all else fails, persist. Oftentimes, nothing beats old fashioned hard work.

Our Team

Jerry Philips

Before cofounding Philips & Meachum Public Affairs in 2009, Jerry Philips worked each legislative session and campaign cycle since 1997, connecting the session’s legislative strategy with election year political strategy.

Beginning as a volunteer intern during the 1997 Legislative Session for Rep. Ken Yarbrough, Jerry worked for Rep. Yarbrough through the 76th Legislature and 2000 election season. As Communications Director for Texas House Speaker Pete Laney’s Texas Partnership PAC during the 77th Legislature, Jerry worked with Members and staff across the state.

During the 78th Legislature, Jerry served as Chief of Staff for Representative John Mabry from Waco who was chosen as “Freshman of the Year”. As Chief of Staff for House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam during the 79th Legislative Session, Jerry played an integral part in developing legislative strategy and message for the House Democratic Caucus. In 2005, Jerry became the Executive Director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, chaired by Representatives Jim Dunnam, Garnet Coleman and Pete Gallego.

Jerry’s family immigrated to College Station from South India, and he was the first person in his family born in America. Raised in Houston, Jerry is an avid fan of sports, barbecue, and historic fiction. Jerry and his wife, Zeena Angadicheril, a former Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin and currently a sports and real estate Of Counsel with Greenberg Traurig, enjoy youth sports and traveling with their three sons, Christopher, Aaron and Miles.

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Jaclyn Uresti

Jaclyn Uresti recently joined Philips Uresti Meachum Partners after working in and around the Texas Capitol for over 15 years. She was most recently the President of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Her experience includes legislative and campaign experience in local, state and national politics. She is an alum of two presidential campaigns – serving as the Texas State Director for Hillary for America and Texas senior advisor for Biden for President. She was also the Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Future Project, a donor collaborative aimed at building a progressive infrastructure. Jaclyn’s legislative experience includes working for some of the best current and former members of the Texas House, including U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, State Representative Abel Herrero, and State Representative Rafael Anchía. Jaclyn is from Corpus Christi, Texas, and an alumni of Texas State University.

Kurt Meachum

In 1998, Kurt Meachum moved to Austin from Dallas to work the 76th Legislative Session for then State Representative Steve Wolens, Chairman of the House Committee on State Affairs. He spent the next decade working at the highest levels of state government for some of the best and brightest elected officials in Texas. Under the Chairmanship of the House Democratic Leader, Jim Dunnam, Meachum became the first Executive Director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Meachum graduated from SMU, where he earned a Presidential Scholarship. He also earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. He lives in Austin with his wife, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum, and their three children. Kurt and Amy enjoy spending an inordinate amount of time watching their kids play soccer.

Jerry Philips

Before cofounding Philips & Meachum Public Affairs in 2009, Jerry Philips worked each legislative session and campaign cycle since 1997, connecting the session’s legislative strategy with election year political strategy.

Beginning as a volunteer intern during the 1997 Legislative Session for Rep. Ken Yarbrough, Jerry worked for Rep. Yarbrough through the 76th Legislature and 2000 election season. As Communications Director for Texas House Speaker Pete Laney’s Texas Partnership PAC during the 77th Legislature, Jerry worked with Members and staff across the state.

During the 78th Legislature, Jerry served as Chief of Staff for Representative John Mabry from Waco who was chosen as “Freshman of the Year”. As Chief of Staff for House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam during the 79th Legislative Session, Jerry played an integral part in developing legislative strategy and message for the House Democratic Caucus. In 2005, Jerry became the Executive Director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, chaired by Representatives Jim Dunnam, Garnet Coleman and Pete Gallego.

Jerry’s family immigrated to College Station from South India, and he was the first person in his family born in America. Raised in Houston, Jerry is an avid fan of sports, barbecue, and historic fiction. Jerry and his wife, Zeena Angadicheril, a former Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin and currently a sports and real estate of counsel with Greenberg Traurig, enjoy youth sports and traveling with their three sons, Christopher, Aaron and Miles.

Read more

Jaclyn Uresti

Jaclyn Uresti recently joined Philips Uresti Meachum Partners after working in and around the Texas Capitol for over 15 years. She was most recently the President of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Her experience includes legislative and campaign experience in local, state and national politics. She is an alum of two presidential campaigns – serving as the Texas State Director for Hillary for America and Texas senior advisor for Biden for President. She was also the Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Future Project, a donor collaborative aimed at building a progressive infrastructure. Jaclyn’s legislative experience includes working for some of the best current and former members of the Texas House, including U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, State Representative Abel Herrero, and State Representative Rafael Anchía. Jaclyn is from Corpus Christi, Texas, and an alumni of Texas State University.

Kurt Meachum

In 1998, Kurt Meachum moved to Austin from Dallas to work the 76th Legislative Session for then State Representative Steve Wolens, Chairman of the House Committee on State Affairs. He spent the next decade working at the highest levels of state government for some of the best and brightest elected officials in Texas. Under the Chairmanship of the House Democratic Leader, Jim Dunnam, Meachum became the first Executive Director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Meachum graduated from SMU, where he earned a Presidential Scholarship. He also earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. He lives in Austin with his wife, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum, and their three children. Kurt and Amy enjoy spending an inordinate amount of time watching their kids play soccer.

Jerry Philips
Jaclyn Uresti
Kurt Meachum
Jerry Philips
Jaclyn Uresti
Kurt Meachum

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Team

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