Shane R. Saum
Shane R. Saum (born March 22, 1985) is an American public official, government affairs professional, and local elected leader currently serving as a City Council member in Lago Vista, Texas. He is a former legislative staffer in the Texas Capitol and previously held roles in the Governor’s Office and private sector advocacy organizations.
Early life and education
Saum was born in Ravenna, Ohio, and graduated from West Geauga High School in 2003.[citation needed] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University in 2008, followed by a Master of Arts in History from San Diego State University in 2010.[citation needed] His graduate thesis, titled The Olympic Cold War, was among SDSU’s top 10 most-accessed theses in 2017 and 2018.[1]
Career
From 2013 to 2021, Saum served in various roles in the Texas Legislature, including as a legislative aide to Rep. Abel Herrero, chief of staff to Rep. Geanie Morrison, and senior policy advisor to Sen. Lois Kolkhorst.[2] He later joined the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office, managing the Texas Enterprise Fund — a program providing grants to companies committing to job creation in Texas.[3]
In the private sector, Saum founded ATX Plays, a recreational sports league that won the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s “Most Uniquely Austin Business” award in 2016.[4] He also led Texans for Economic Development, an advocacy group focused on gaming and technology policy.[citation needed]
Lago Vista City Council
In November 2023, Saum was elected to Place 1 on the Lago Vista City Council with 65.5% of the vote.[5] In office, he has focused on water infrastructure, local economic development, and citizen engagement.
In early 2024, Saum introduced and passed a local preference ordinance giving Lago Vista businesses a scoring advantage in city bid evaluations.[6]
He later published an op-ed in The Dallas Morning News advocating for changes in how the Texas Water Development Board scores funding applications for small cities near high-growth areas.[7] Saum also led a delegation to Washington, D.C., to discuss infrastructure needs with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.[8]
Policy advocacy
During the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025, Saum supported legislation to revise financial exit fees for cities leaving the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro).[9] He testified in favor of HB 3643, which proposed tying exit fees to local transit assets rather than broader regional obligations.[10]
Personal life
Saum lives in Lago Vista, Texas, and has one daughter. He is active in local civic life, including the Lago Vista Lions Club, and regularly engages with constituents through social media and town hall events.
References
- ↑ "The Olympic Cold War". SDSUnbound. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ↑ "House Research Organization Staff Directory" (PDF).
- ↑ "Texas Enterprise Fund Listings" (PDF).[dead link]
- ↑ "Austin Chamber Recognizes Local Companies".[dead link]
- ↑ "Travis County Election Results 2023". Austin American-Statesman.
- ↑ McKim, Dylan (2024-02-27). "New program aims to help local companies compete in city contracts". KXAN.
- ↑ Saum, Shane R. (2024-03-19). "Texas metro area's growth is straining a small town's water infrastructure". Dallas Morning News.
- ↑ "Water concerns take Lago Vista city council to the White House". KXAN. 2024-12-03.
- ↑ "Facing millions of dollars in fees to leave CapMetro, Lago Vista turning to state lawmakers". KVUE. 2025-03-29.
- ↑ "Texas Legislature Online - HB 3643".
External links
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