Tony Essalih 
Tony Essalih joined Cornerstone in 2011 as a co-lead of the firm’s flagship Texas office in Houston. He is a 12-year veteran of Capitol Hill and comes to Cornerstone from the office of Congressman John Culberson (R-TX). Tony served Congressman Culberson for 10 years, the last five as his Chief of Staff. Prior to that position, Tony spent time as a Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, Communications Director, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the congressman. He worked in Washington,DC for eight years before moving to Houston in 2007. Once in Houston, Tony split his time between the two cities.
As Chief of Staff, Tony was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Congressman’s Washington and Houston offices and oversaw a 13-member staff. Tony’s areas of expertise include energy, budget and appropriations, and transportation. He also served as the Congressman’s principal advisor on strategic policy initiatives and political issues, interacting regularly with key state government decision-makers in Austin.
Prior to working for Congressman Culberson, Tony worked for former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer and for current House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings. Tony has advised and assisted numerous local, state, and federal campaigns. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Houston Technology Center, has served on the board of a local Houston hospital and was a member of Mayor Annise Parker’s transition team in 2010.
Tony was born and raised in Fredericksburg,VA and received his B.A. in Political Science from Mary Washington College. Tony was a starting member of Mary Washington’s NCAA semifinalist men’s soccer team. He lives in Houston with his wife Ellie and two daughters.