Mr. Barnes is an author and has been an influential player on the American political scene for four decades. Barnes launched his political career while a student at The University of Texas.  At the age of 21, he ran for state representative from his home district and won in an upset.  At age 26, Barnes was the youngest person to serve as Speaker of the Texas House. He became Lieutenant Governor of Texas at the age of 30.  Barnes is the author of Barn Burning Barn Building: Tales of a Political Life, from LBJ to George W. Bush and Beyond.  He is the founder and CEO of Ben Barnes Group.