Gray Cardinal Strategies is a partnership between Emily Lindley and Tina O’Jibway focused on environmental and natural resources, and infrastructure projects.
Our Gray Cardinal partnership was born out of a recognition that there is often a divide between the legal, regulatory, and political aspects of projects, and it exists to provide services that bridge that gap. Coupling a deep well of regulatory experience with legislative and legal expertise, Emily and Tina can offer a 360-degree perspective and help guide clients toward a strategy that considers all aspects and angles.
We work directly with clients, partner with other public affairs firms and legal counsels, and cover various services, including regulatory consulting, targeted lobbying, drafting, and background work.
Our Core Offerings
Regulatory
Helping clients navigate complex regulatory processes by providing in-depth knowledge of the environmental regulatory climate in Texas and at the Federal level.
Legislative
Harnessing our understanding of the broader legislative and policy landscape to effectively communicate and advocate for our clients’ objectives.
Behind the Scenes
Drafting, background research, and the ability to translate intricate and technical environmental issues for a broader audience.
Your Team
Emily Lindley
Emily Lindley is a regulatory and public affairs specialist in Texas with 18 years of experience in environmental regulatory affairs, legislative affairs, and public policy at the state and federal levels.
Emily was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2018 as Commissioner to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and was unanimously confirmed by the Texas Senate in 2019. She continued to serve out her appointment until 2024.
Before her role as Commissioner, Emily was the Chief of Staff for Region 6 of the EPA, overseeing the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Before joining the EPA, Emily served for over 10 years in several different offices at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, where she learned the ins and outs of the state’s environmental regulatory process. She began as entry level staff answering the public’s questions about the permitting process and eventually worked her way up to the Executive Director’s Office where she helped guide the agency on all administrative and policy matters.
Emily has drawn praise from current and former elected officials, private industry, and representatives for the environment. Among a lengthy list of accomplishments while Commissioner, Emily successfully negotiated a federal delegation from the EPA for the jurisdiction over produced water. Emily also served as lead negotiator for Texas in discussions with Mexico, resulting in an advantageous agreement for Texas water rights holders along the Rio Grande. During the 88th Legislative Session, Emily was the lead for the TCEQ dealing with legislators and their staffs as the agency went through their appropriations process, ultimately securing an unprecedented amount of funding for the agency.
Emily is involved in a number of local charities, including being a weekly driver for Meals on Wheels. She and her family reside in Bastrop, Texas.
Tina O’Jibway
Tina O’Jibway is a Capitol veteran with a background in environmental law. She most recently spent almost a decade inside the building working for one of the most senior Texas State Senators, where she focused on environmental and natural resources, energy and electricity, and infrastructure policy.
During her time working in the Legislature, Tina had a front row seat to the State’s budget process, particularly focused on the natural resource agencies found in Article VI. She also worked several sessions on Texas Sunset Commission legislation for river authorities and state agencies.
She has worked on behalf of her boss, steering major pieces of legislation relating to state infrastructure and environmental issues, including broadband, carbon capture and sequestration, water, and water rate making.
Prior to her time working in the Legislature, Tina spent several years at an Austin-based law firm practicing environmental and administrative law with a focus on water. At the firm, she worked on behalf of clients on large scale water projects and water supply planning, as well as securing necessary permits from regulatory agencies within the State.
Having both an environmental legal background and a political lens gives her the unique ability to see projects and issues from a holistic perspective.
Tina holds a BA in Plan II Honors and English from the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 2010. She is married with two young sons and is an active school and church volunteer.
