Cameron Poursoltan
State & Federal Senior Policy Advisor, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
LBJ School of Public Affairs, Master of Public Affairs 2023
What I do
I liaise between the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Legislature. Specifically, I coordinate the agency’s participation in hearings and briefings, respond to legislative staffers’ questions on agency programs, and concisely educate lawmakers about complex issues the agency is working on.
What inspires my passion for public service
Since I began my career on Capitol Hill roughly a decade ago, I have known that I wanted to work on making society better for everyone. I have continued working in the federal and state government because I have witnessed the impact that public servants make. Today, I work for Texas’s environmental agency because I believe in our core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
Something that might surprise people
I was a tech policy advisor for a Texas congressman and worked on homeland security and high-tech policy. I served as an advisor on the CHIPS for America Act, which eventually developed into the CHIPS and Science Act to promote the domestic production of semiconductors.
My advice for others considering a role in public service
When I began in public policy, I was advised to find an area of policy I care about deeply and specialize in it. Those getting into policy should take the time to learn everything about a topic so that they can be a valuable resource to others in that policy arena. Becoming an expert will enable you to develop your brand and have a fulfilling career where you can make lasting change in a space you care about.