The 2012 Gold Blazers-Carl Richie, Jr.

The Gold Blazer Award is presented annually to alumni who have provided outstanding service to the Alumni Association and the university.

Carl S. Richie, Jr.

(Class of 1981) has worked on all three levels of government—local, state and federal. He began his legislative career by serving as a fellow to a member of the U.S. Congress. Then he served as a legislative assistant for two state senators before becoming Deputy Chief of Staff to Texas Governor Ann W. Richards and led the governor's ethics task force, which established the Texas Ethics Commission, and he became the agency's first interim director. In March 1991, Richie was one of 60 people to be named “A Rising Star” in American politics by Campaigns and Elections magazine. He was also one of 35 individuals selected to participate in the Henry Toll Fellowship and was elected President of the 1993 Henry Toll Fellowship Class. The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce named Richie Volunteer of the Year for his work in education and workforce development and for governmental relations. He is also recognized as one of 2007's Best Lawyers in America by Woodward/White, and he received the Healthcare Heroes Award by the Austin Business Journal in 2007. Recently, he has served as Vice President of Government Affairs for TXU Energy, where he managed the company's state legislative and regulatory advocacy team and external consultants. He also managed the employee-based political action committee and its associated activities. Richie is a board member for Sendero Health Plans, treasurer of Austin Area Research Organization, president of the Board for Southwest Housing Compliance Corporation, commissioner for Housing Authority of the City of Austin, and parliamentarian to Board of Governors, National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials. Currently, Richie serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority for the City of Austin. He has earned the highest awards that can be given to a public housing commissioner. He represents clients before the Texas legislature on many public policy issues. He also represents clients in administrative matters before state and federal agencies in the areas of campaign finance, energy matters and housing issues.