Brandon Aghamalian

Partner and Vice President, Business Development

Brandon Aghamalian is widely recognized as an expert on local government, transportation, economic development, property tax and cultural arts issues. As the company’s vice president of business development and co-founder of the legislative division, his primary focus is representing the needs of local governments before the Texas Legislature while also designing communication and grassroots campaigns.

             

Over the course of his career, Aghamalian has also become a trusted advisor and consultant to business leaders across the state regarding economic development and expansion projects.

Prior to joining Focused Advocacy, Aghamalian was a public affairs consultant at HillCo Partners where he founded the company’s local government practice, managing a multi-million dollar practice group. During his time at HillCo, Aghamalian represented dozens of municipalities before the Texas Legislature and worked with the Texas film and television industries to design and fund a $60 million incentive program. He also successfully managed several projects to secure millions of dollars in tax incentives on behalf of clients expanding facilities or creating new jobs in Texas.

Before joining HillCo Partners, Aghamalian was the director of governmental relations for the City of Fort Worth from 2002 to 2006, where he served under Mayor Ken Barr and Mayor Mike Moncrief. While in Fort Worth, Aghamalian represented the city at both the state and federal level, and also served as the liaison to the Texas Municipal League, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. 

Aghamalian previously worked as the chief of staff for then-Rep. Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) where he assisted in the passage of HB 1200, the Texas Economic Development Act, which provides incentives for capital-intensive industries to build or expand in Texas. Previous to that, he served as the director for the House Committee on Business and Industry where he helped negotiate a massive overhaul to the state’s workers’ compensation system (HB 2600) and the state’s job training fund.

Prior to that, Aghamalian was the Legislative Director for Rep. Todd Smith (R-Euless). From 1993 to 1997, Aghamalian served as the legislative coordinator for the Texas Parent Teacher Association. He has also served as an adviser and fundraiser for several political campaigns.

Aghamalian earned his J.D. and master’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin, and his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas State University in San Marcos, where he also was a NCAA-scholarship track athlete and student body vice-president.