Chad Cantella is an award-winning Texas based lobbyist and business consultant. He is a founding principal of the top ranked lobby firm, Texas Star Alliance. Chad has a broad background as a public affairs professional and an entrepreneur. Chad is a nonpartisan consultant specializes in lobbying, political strategy and business development.

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For over 20 years Chad has been a key figure in Texas politics. He has lobbied and consulted for clients ranging Fortune 500 companies to national industry groups. Mr. Cantella has unique expertise in the policy areas of education, healthcare, criminal Justice and workforce. 

Chad has been recognized for his professional achievements including: The Texas Education Council’s “Advocate Leader” award, The “Silver Boot” award recognizing him for legislative victories impacting the at-risk youth field (big brothers Big Sisters Lonestar), The “Healthcare Champion” award for excellence in Medicaid policy (Private Providers Association of Texas), and recently “Capitol Inside.Com” named Chad as on the top lobbyist in Texas, listing him in the upper 1% of the “hired gun”rankings. 

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Prior to joining Texas Star Alliance, Chad was an Associate with River City Communications an Austin based public affairs firm. Mr. Cantella lead the lobby division of the firm and managed multiple clients including: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Texas, Texas Healthcare Association, The Sudan Divestment Task Force, Texas Irrigators Association, and the adult survivors network.

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Chad honed his political skills and instincts from years of work in the trenches and on the campaign trail. While serving as Political Director for Strategic Resources Inc., he served in key roles for numerous political organizations including: George W. Bush for Governor, Rick Perry for Lt. Governor, Michael Williams for Railroad Commissioner, The National Republican Congressional Committee, Republican Party of Harris County, and The Campaign for America.

Starting early, Chad’s first post-graduate assignment was with the Republican Party of Texas where he served as Special Assistant to then Chair Tom Pauken. Traveling with the State Party Chairman from county to county was a great lesson in retail politics.

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When he was not working in the political field Chad found time to co-own and then sell Crenshaw Norte Inc. a regional waste services company specializing in disaster recovery. His company played major roles assisting the State’s efforts to re-open communities devastated by hurricanes Ike and Rita.

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A graduate of Texas Christian University, Chad received a degree from the Bob Schiffer School in public relations where he  was awarded the TCU Newsome Award, was a member of the TCU fencing team, was a member of the TCU football Lariats, Chairman of the College Republicans and a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He is a graduate of Leadership Austin and was a Graduate Fellow with the Episcopal Church, he also is an alumnus of the Republican National Committee Campaign School. 

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He is proud to currently serve as the Board Chair to the Cenikor Foundation, as a board member for Friends of Happy Hill Orphanage and for the Texas Publishers Association Government Relations Board. Chad has recently served on the Coastal Conservation Association Board, the Leadership Austin Alumni Board and is an alumnus of the C -12 Business Owners Forum.

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Chad is a frequent guest speaker on topics ranging from politics to business and faith. He and his wife Alison live in Austin Texas where they attend The Austin Stone Church. They are the proud parents of two amazing boys Rex and Rowe.