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Biography

Jason is a financially trained business advisor and corporate strategist, experienced in emerging growth companies and companies operating primarily in the middle market in industries including tech-enabled services, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, health care, and communications. Jasonโ€™s background as an attorney, business advisor, economist, and as a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, provides him with deep knowledge in a number of business-critical areas including regulatory compliance, governmental relations, analytics, and corporate governance. Jasonโ€™s legislative experience bringing together disparate constituencies to achieve a common objective provides a unique problem-solving facet to his skillset as a corporate advisor.

Jason serves most frequently as a seasoned business advisor, partner and general counsel for companies that have engaged him for his strategic, corporate, and legal advice on matters spanning financing, litigation, government relations, executive compensation, and operations.

Jason's Relevant Experience

Government Relations

Jason is a former member of the Texas legislature. He has had a multifaceted career in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and governmental relations. He started his political career in 2012 as the first Hispanic to represent for Texas House District 114. During his time of service, Jason passed more legislation than any member of his class.

Due to his extensive knowledge of the corporate world, the Speaker of the House appointed Jason to the important Special Select Committees on Small Business and Economic Incentives, and Redistricting. Additionally, Jason served on the Environmental Regulation Committee, the Business and Industry Committee, and the Economic Development Committee, where he addressed the stateโ€™s economic development, events, and emerging growth funds.

One of Jasonโ€™s biggest accomplishments is the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation, which he founded in 2019. This non-profit, non-partisan foundation is dedicated to educational research to better understand the cultural and political trends of Texasโ€™ largest ethnic minority. The Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation has raised over a million dollars and has been engaged by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Texas 2036, the Philanthropy Advocates, and the Meadows Foundation, among many others, to conduct research relating to the Hispanic community in Texas.

Finance

As a former financial analyst and economist for a local Fortune 100 business and as the former General Counsel for a billion-dollar revenue management company, Jason counts his โ€œbottom-lineโ€ focus as one of his differentiating strengths. Jason has been the primary legal advisor on over 150 M&A transactions, including public and private acquisitions for transactions ranging from $10 million to $1 billion. Likewise, Jason has advised several public companies on initial and follow-on public offerings, going-private transactions, divestitures, acquisitions, restructurings, and combinations of equals.

Venture Capital

Jason is an experienced venture capital and private equity advisor having served for several years as the Chairman of the Venture Capital and Private Equity Committee of the State Bar of Texas. Jason has been the lead advisor on over 200 venture capital transactions including various series preferred financings, restructurings, divestitures and acquisitions.

Other Info About Jason

Work History

Prior Work Experience

Former Member of the Texas Legislature: 2013-2019
Appointments:

  • House District 114 (covering North Central Dallas)
  • Special Select Committees on Small Business and Economic Incentives, and Redistricting,
  • Environmental Regulation Committee (crafting oil, gas, energy, and renewable resources legislation),
    Business and Industry Committee (dealing with commerce, industry, workers compensation issues, logistics, and construction), and
  • Economic Development Committee (addressing the stateโ€™s economic development, events, and emerging growth funds).

Education

Law School

University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1996

Undergraduate School

Baylor University, B.B.A., Finance & Economics, 1992

Bar Memberships

Jason is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Texas, 1996

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Leadership Award, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers

Leadership Award, American Cancer Society, Leadership Award, Texas Hospital Association

Patient Protection Award, Texas Medical Association

Legislator of the Year, Dallas Police Association

Legislator of the Year, Texas Realtors Association

Legislator of the Year, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas

Legislator of the Year, Texas Municipal Police Association

Legislator of the Year, Dallas Fire Association

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Former Member of the Texas Legislature, 2013-2019

Board of Directors, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, member, 2024

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation, Chairman of the Board and CEO

Texas Business Law Foundation, Board Member

Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board Member

The Dickey Foundation, Board Member

Dallas Heritage Village, Trustee

Dallas Zoo, Board Member

Dallas International School, Trustee

Hope Supply Company, Board Member

Dallas Grow South, Former Board Member and Secretary

City of Dallas Housing Finance Corporation, Former Board Member

Dallas County Citizens Elections Advisory Committee, Former Board Member

Uplift Education, Former Board Member

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Former Board Member

Major Publications

Jason is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Author, “The Little Boy and the Old Woman,” 2016

Interview, “Conversation With: Jason Villalba,” D Magazine, 2023

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