HOUSTON (August 10, 2026) – Leading government affairs, communications, and advocacy firm HBW Resources today announced the expansion of its premier roster with the appointments of Mary Alice Kahanek as Senior Director, Association Management, Events & Community Outreach and Lauren Sides as Senior Director, Public Affairs & Communications.
Kahanek, who has more than two decades of involvement supporting organizations across the energy and manufacturing sectors through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and operational leadership, will collaborate with clients to strengthen associations, foster meaningful engagement and develop event programs that advance organizational goals.
Sides, whose seasoned background in strategic public policy and communications features more than 15 years of experience building coalitions, supporting legislative and advocacy initiatives and managing external partnerships, will help lead integrated communications, stakeholder engagement and campaign management strategies for HBW’s robust portfolio.
“Mary Alice and Lauren, a pair of accomplished strategic advisors, immediately strengthen our team,” said HBW Managing Partner David Holt. “Both are proven leaders who possess dynamic expertise that enhances our ability to support clients across the energy spectrum.”
Prior to joining HBW, Kahanek supported corporate marketing teams, associations, nonprofits and private institutions with strategic event planning, portfolio management and full-scale execution through a boutique event strategy consultancy she launched and led. An entrepreneur and business leader, Kahanek leverages practical perspective and project leadership to build trusted relationships and create meaningful connections. She studied Marketing at Sam Houston State University and holds a certificate as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) from the Events Industry Council.
Sides enters her role with HBW after most recently serving as Senior Director of External Communications for Deployed Services and Deployed Resources, a rapid response infrastructure and professional services organization. An accomplished communications professional and forward-thinking leader, Sides’ career also includes public and media relations positions with SJRC Texas & Belong, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and strategic messaging work in the offices of multiple elected officials. She is an alumna of University of the Incarnate Word (B.A., Political Science) and Grand Canyon University (Master of Public Administration, Government & Policy).
Both Kahanek and Sides are based in Houston.
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About HBW Resources: Headquartered in Houston with offices across the U.S., HBW Resources is a government affairs, advocacy, and communications firm exclusively focused on energy, environment, conservation, technology, and transportation issues. Focused on creating and executing innovative PR, communications, and public policy campaigns and strategies, HBW has a well-earned reputation for successfully navigating clients through the intersection of government, business, and politics. HBW fuses its broad expertise to ensure organizations master their challenges, catalyze opportunities and achieve success. To learn more, visit HBWResources.com.
Contact:
Jeff Ostermayer
(561) 310-5920
jostermayer@hbwresources.com