The Texas Cable & Telecommunications Association has selected a well-connected political operative to be its president and chief operating officer.
Dale Laine Jr. served as deputy chief of staff to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush, as well as serving on the staffs of former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).
His appointment serves the association's goal of expanding its focus in the legislative and public-affairs arenas.
"Effective representation within the executive, legislative and regulatory bodies is becoming increasingly important at the state level," said Connie Wharton, chair of the association's board and vice president and general manager for Cox Communications Inc., in a prepared statement.
Although Laine began work for the association Dec. 1, he will continue as president of Laine Strategy Group, an Austin, Texas-based public-affairs-consulting firm.
