Bringing a strategic lens to entities looking to build partnerships, grow, and add their voice to our community’s future.
ABOUT
The first African American woman elected to the Austin City Council, and elevated to Mayor Pro Tem by her peers, Sheryl Cole understands the careful financial planning and stakeholder communication required for a city to accommodate massive growth while maintaining services for all.
On Council, Sheryl served as Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee, as Chair of the Comprehensive Planning and Transportation Committee, and was the leading advocate for the Waller Creek redevelopment.
Today, as founder and CEO of Sheryl Cole & Associates, Sheryl brings her legal, financial, planning, as well as her community and governmental relations skills to help clients grow, build strategic partnerships, seek financing, and navigate procurement and the permitting process before the City of Austin, Travis County, and Capital Metro.
Prior to her legal career, Sheryl was a Certified Public Accountant and worked for two years with the Big Five accounting firm Ernst & Young. After law school, she began her career in litigation for Wright & Greenhill PC (formerly Bankston Wright & Greenhill) and the Cole & Powel law firm. She also worked as an Assistant General Counsel for the Texas Municipal League representing cities across the state of Texas for five years.
An Austin resident for over 40 years, Sheryl earned her B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas and earned her J.D. from the University of Texas Law School.
Sheryl is a past president of the Lee Elementary School PTA and a former Board member of Leadership Austin, the Austin Area Urban League, Planned Parenthood, and Communities in Schools. She currently serves on the Leadership Circle for Communities in Schools and the Texas Military Forces Foundation.
Sheryl is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Bar Association and currently represents House District 46 in the Texas House of Representatives.
AWARDS
State Bar of Texas Trailblazer Award
Congressman Barbra Jordon Award
Profile in Power Award
Austin Business Journal
Best Council Steward Award
The Austin Chronicle
Texas Legislative Black Caucus Freshman of the Year
SERVICES
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Attorney Sheryl Cole provides strategic consulting for clients seeking opportunities with local governments. Sheryl Cole & Associates places our clients in position for success by enhancing relationships with key stakeholders in the public and private sector. Sheryl served for eight years as City of Austin Council member, three of which were as Mayor Pro Tem. She has helped clients obtain policy objectives such as leading the effort among several nonprofits to pass the City of Austin E-Cigarette Ban. She also worked to develop and obtain City Council approval for the Healthy Food and Corner Store initiative. She also has been successful helping her clients with procurement and certification matters.
She currently serves on Business and Industry, Higher Education Committee, and Vice Chair of House Administration in the Texas House Representatives.
PUBLIC FINANCE
Sheryl has a track record of making public-private partnerships work with complex financial transactions. She championed the Waller Creek Revitalization effort, which had been under consideration for 40 years. She served as the sole representative for the City of Austin on CAMPO in negotiations with the CTRMA and collaborated with regional leaders that resulted in funding for new managed lane capacity on MOPAC. She has served as a leader on several bond initiatives, including the successfully revamped 2013 affordable housing bonds, after voters rejected a less ambitious proposal in 2012. She has also served as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee for six years. She served a member of the Texas House of Representative Ways and Means Committee for two terms, where she worked on issues related to taxation and revenue.
She currently partners with McCall Parkhurst & Horton on matters related to Public Finance.
OTHER SERVICES
Local Government & Community Affairs Consulting, Real Estate, Procurement Consulting, Appropriations/budget riders, Workforce Development, MWBE Certification, Research & Analysis.
CLIENTS
We have the pleasure of having a wide range of clients in the Central Texas region. Here are some we have represented:
