Elam named AgriLife Extension strategic initiatives lead
Role will support people, programs and partnerships
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has named Chris Elam as strategic initiatives lead in the office of the director in College Station.
In this role, Elam oversees the implementation of strategic agency initiatives and the communication of objectives between executive leadership, internal and external stakeholders, and the general public under guidance from the AgriLife Extension director’s office.
“I am very pleased to bring Chris on board as a member of the Extension Leadership Team,” said Rick Avery, Ph.D., director of AgriLife Extension. “The agency’s strategic plan is building guideposts and coordination in support of our people, programs and partnerships. Chris will be an invaluable resource to help the agency meet our vision and goals. His work will serve all facets of AgriLife Extension, and I look forward to introducing him to our statewide organization in the upcoming weeks and months.”
Strategic communications experience
Elam has an extensive background in strategic communications, government relations and county operations.
His Capitol Hill experience includes having served as an assistant to U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. He has worked for a state agency as both a governmental relations specialist and as a communications director in the Texas General Land Office in Austin.
Most recently, he served as chief of staff to County Commissioner W.A. “Andy” Meyers in Fort Bend County, where he worked with county leaders and the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Government to deliver county government operations to one of the fastest-growing areas of the state.
Throughout his time in Fort Bend County, Elam maintained a statewide network of professional relationships with county leaders and members of the Texas Legislature. He was actively involved with the Texas Association of Counties and has attended each of AgriLife Extension’s annual V.G. Young Institute School for County Commissioners since 2017.
Elam was born in Houston and raised in Sugar Land, where he was active in youth sports and academic pursuits. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M University in 2001, where he also served as a student employee for the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and as public relations manager for the Texas A&M Singing Cadets.
