Our Team

Our team has a proven track record guiding mid-size to Fortune 500 companies on market entry, strategic expansion, public and government stakeholder engagement, and economic development initiatives in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

Our success is built on principled achievement and unwavering values, and we partner with organizations that share this commitment to integrity, purpose, and long-term impact.

Leadership

George P. Bush

CEO & Managing Partner

George P. Bush

CEO & Managing Partner

Commissioner Bush serves as the CEO and Managing Partner of Pine Cove Strategies, drawing upon more than 30 years of executive experience in both government and business. Throughout his career, he has led high-profile initiatives, shaped strategic decision-making, and delivered impactful results for public and private sector clients alike.

Prior to co-founding the firm, Commissioner Bush served as the 28th Land Commissioner for the State of Texas where he led the largest housing recovery in State history in response to Hurricane Harvey, helping more than 60,000 victims rebuild their homes and their lives. As Chairman of the $8.6 billion Permanent School Fund, he helped to generate record revenues for K-12 education through innovative administration and implemented prudent stewardship measures over 13 million acres of state lands and natural resources.

Prior to his election to statewide office, Commissioner Bush co-founded Pennybacker Capital, a Texas-based private equity fund, and he practiced corporate & securities law with a national law firm in Dallas. He also proudly served for a decade as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves, where he earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Intel Warfare Designator pin in recognition of his service.

Amanda Bush

President & Managing Partner

Amanda Bush

President & Managing Partner

Amanda has a proven track record of building and maintaining strong, strategic relationships with companies, industry leaders, and key officials across Texas. In addition to her role as President and Managing Partner of Pine Cove Strategies, she is a Managing Director of TrailRunner International, a global strategic communications firm, and an attorney at Jackson Walker, LLP, where she acts as outside counsel to her clients, managing a broad array of legal matters. Amanda practiced First Amendment, intellectual property and commercial trial law for 14 years at Jackson Walker before co-founding Pine Cove Strategies. Amanda’s diverse experience and strategic acumen make her a trusted advisor and leader in both business and legal communities.

Amanda Bush routinely leverages her network to drive strategic growth and add value to her clients. She has served on numerous Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards for both publicly traded and private companies. Her strategic counsel is highly sought after by C-suite executives, reflecting a trusted reputation for insightful leadership and guidance.

Mark Havens

Principal

Mark Havens

Principal

Mark is the Principal of Pine Cove Strategies, bringing decades of expertise in Texas public service and natural resource management. Prior to joining the firm, Mark served as Chief Clerk and Deputy Land Commissioner for the Texas General Land Office. Leveraging his comprehensive knowledge and experience of disaster preparedness and response, Mark played a pivotal role in the State of Texas’ disaster recovery efforts, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

In his prior role at the Land Office, Mark also managed over 13 million mineral acres across the State of Texas, generating record-breaking revenues in oil and gas development on state-owned lands. As the former General Counsel for the Land Office, Mark served as the lead attorney on complex legislative matters involving allocation wells and the distribution of production and royalty concerns associated with horizontal drilling.

Mark has testified before the Texas Legislature countless times on a wide range of complex policy matters and regulatory issues and has also provided expert testimony to the United States Congress addressing federal offshore energy policy.

Matthew Cooksey

Senior Associate

Matthew Cooksey

Senior Associate

Matthew brings a wealth of legislative and regulatory experience from his years of service in Texas government and advocacy organizations. With a track record of navigating complex policy landscapes, Matthew specializes in energy, AI, healthcare, and regulatory issues, leveraging his deep understanding of legislative processes and stakeholder engagement to deliver impactful solutions.

Matthew’s experience extends to consumer advocacy and utility regulation, gained during his tenure as a government relations specialist at the Office of the Public Utility Counsel. In this role, he represented residential and small commercial consumers at the Texas Legislature, PUC, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, ensuring their voices were heard in key energy and utility discussions. Matthew also has staff experience in the Texas House and Senate.

Brittany Cheatheam

Director of Operations and Scheduling

Brittany Cheatheam

Director of Operations and Scheduling

Brittany is an experienced operations leader with a strong track record of building and improving systems, teams, and processes that drive clarity, efficiency, and results. She is defined by her proactive approach, operational foresight, and ability to bring order to complexity, whether supporting integration, building out internal systems, or managing stakeholder communications.

Outside of her professional role, Brittany is passionate about board and nonprofit service, with experience supporting mission-driven organizations focused on education, advocacy, and community development.