Keynote Panel: State of Texas Hemp

King was born on November 9, 1960. After graduating from Carrizo Springs High School he attended Southwest Texas Junior College, Sul Ross State University and Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering. King is the Owner of Beltone Hearing Aid Center, which currently provides hearing healthcare to 16 Southwest Texas counties. He began working there in 1983 and purchased the company in 1987. He has served as a member of the First United Methodist Church Board of Trustees, President of the Kiwanis Club, and President of the Texas Hearing Aid Association

Ilissa Nolan serves as the Executive Director for the Texas Hemp Coalition that is founded to serve as the premier non-profit representing the industry in Texas. Ms. Nolan was one of the few lobbyist that worked to pass HB 1325 which made it legal to grow and process hemp in Texas. She also serves as a government affairs consultant for Booth & Associates P.C. where she works to build policy through stakeholder collaboration and educating clients on cutting edge issues surrounding state and federal environmental matters, especially topics involving agriculture, rural affairs and environmental issues. Most recently she served as the Government Relations Director for the Texas Department of Agriculture. She received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development with a minor in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. As well, she received a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech University. Ms. Nolan has worked as a Congressional Intern for the House Agriculture Committee under Chairman Frank Lucas and was honored to serve as the Reading Clerk for the Texas House of Representatives of the 83rd Legislative Session. She worked as the Executive Assistant for Natural Resources Solutions, L.C. a consulting firm specialized in regulatory and non-regulatory natural resource and environmental issues. Also, she served as the Legislative Director for Representative Charles “Doc” Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee. She is a member of the Texan by Nature Next Generation Advisory Council, Junior League of Austin and Women’s Symphony League of Austin.