About us
About Government Performance Partners
Government Performance Partners is a reform-minded, business coalition with the common goal of fostering an effective and efficient procurement environment, founded on the principles of fair competition and transparency. We believe that state procurement processes are overly complicated for both internal staff and vendors, and communication and collaboration must improve in order to maximize value for Texas taxpayers.
Our Policy Principles:
- State procurement processes are overly complicated for both internal staff and vendors, and communication and collaboration must improve.
- The State of Texas benefits from a procurement system that rewards efficiency and transparency
- Vendors should be chosen based on "best value" for the state.
- Competition does not exist if solications result in only one bid.
- Solications must be scored using well-defined and objective metrics.
Our Operating Principles
- Forge relationships with decision makers to foster long-term solutions through dialogue, cooperation, and transparency.
- Bring policy experts and vendors together with Legislative and Executive agency partners.
- Craft policy-driven and research-based recommendations to improve competiiton and customer results.
how we work
Dedicated Members
Education
Communication
Advocacy
Our team
The Honorable
Ron Simmons
The Honorable Ron Simmons serves as Policy Advisor for Government Performance Partners. He is a businessman, former member of the Texas House of Representatives, and leader in conservative politics. Born in Arkansas, Ron moved to Texas in the mid-1980’s. He co-founded Retirement Advisors of America, which currently manages nearly $3 billion in assets for families across the country, in 1991. He recently retired as its Chairman. The trade publication Investment News has named Retirement Advisors of America among the top thirty financial advisors in the United States.
He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, where he served House District 65 until 2019. He was Chair of the Policy Committee for the Texas House of Representatives Republican Caucus and the sub-committee Chair of the Long-Term Financing and Planning Transportation Committee. In the 85th Legislative Session, Ron was appointed to the House Committees on Transportation, Appropriations, and the Local and Consent Calendars.
Ron is also served on Board of Directors for the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI), a conservative Austin-based think tank as well as national think tank American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Kate
Decker
Kate Decker serves as Policy Research Specialist for the Government Performance Partners, and brings to GPP her wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors.
Kate began her career as a litigator in Dallas, Texas specializing in commercial litigation and professional liability. She moved to public service in June 2008, serving as Legal Counsel for then-Senator Dan Patrick. Kate honed her research skills while working in Senator Patrick’s office, advising on issues related to finance, criminal justice, and election law.
Following her time in the Texas Legislature, Kate served as Legal Counsel to Barry Smitherman during his tenure as Chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas. She then returned to the private sector, practicing law in the oil and gas industry. Kate is also a stay-at-home mom, a CASA volunteer, and has served on her local school board.
Kate is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is licensed to practice law in Texas, having received her J.D. from Texas Tech University.