Harold Oliver

Managing Principal – Government Affairs Professionals of Texas, LLC

With more than 20 years of experience in communications and government relations, economic development and legislative affairs, Oliver brings a wealth of experience to his clientele.

As the Managing Principal of GAP Texas and TX Capitol Consulting Group from 2005 to today, he oversees all governmental relations, communications and business development processes for the firm. He is responsible for enhancing the public relations, marketing and other outreach efforts for his client’s public image and brand. Harold’s expertise lays in the fields of public relations, government relations, economic development, community development and transportation issues. His clients range from local governmental entities, professional sports teams to national and global clients.

From 2013 to 2014 Harold served as the Chief External Affairs Officer for Accion Texas Inc., now known as Lift Fund. Accion’s footprint covers seven states and Washington D.C. In this role he managed the Communications and Marketing department, the Development staff, and the Governmental Relations department. He managed and raised a budget totaling over $7 Million. He dispersed marketing adds, radio spots, print media stories and Online and television commercials over the seven state footprint focusing on strategic market areas in each state.

From 1994 to 2004, he worked as legislative assistant to the late Texas Senator Frank Madla, assisting on the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security as well as the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce.

Oliver’s extensive and successful legislative work with Madla included the creation and funding of the new Texas A&M campus in San Antonio. He was part of the state’s negotiating team for the Toyota Motor Manufacturing project for San Antonio and helped draft the legislation relating to Toyota’s $60 Million plus, incentive package. He drafted the legislation that transitioned Brooks and Kelly Air Force Bases into commercial facilities as well as drafting the legislation that allowed the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets to build their arenas.

Oliver has served on the board of the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation and served as inaugural chairman, in addition he served on the board of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Other civic involvement has included serving as the chair of the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Texas Lyceum, the chair of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee and co-chair of the 2011 San Antonio March of Dimes “Fund the Mission” Gala. He also served on the boards of the Friends of Big Bend National Park and the Jewish Family and Children Services Organization.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from Incarnate Word College (now the University of the Incarnate Word) and a master of science degree in public administration from St. Mary’s University. He also studied law at the University of Oxford in England and completed his juris doctorate degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law.