Biography

Chris Elam has served as the strategic initiatives lead for AgriLife Extension since 2022, providing forward-thinking goals and plans for the growth of the agency and its employees. Over the course of his career, he has developed strong relationships and leadership roles in state and local government throughout Texas, having worked with elected officials in the U.S. Congress, the Texas Legislature and numerous state agencies. Elam has served as a governmental relations specialist and communications director at the Texas General Land Office and as the former statewide spokesman and deputy executive director of the Republican Party of Texas.

Prior to his roles in state and county government, Elam worked as an independent political and communications consultant, directing or managing over 100 campaigns, political action committees and bond initiatives in Texas and New Mexico. Elam graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas A&M in 2001.