The Austin Economic Club (AEC) continues its 2006 Distinguished Lecture Series with a luncheon featuring Ed Gillespie on Thursday, October 5th, 2006, at the Austin Club, 110 E. 9th St., in Austin, Texas.

Ed Gillespie is a founder and co-chairman of Quinn Gillespie & Associates, a bipartisan public affairs firm that provides strategic counsel, government relations, and communications services to corporations, trade associations, and issue-based coalitions. He is a witty and candid presenter who brings personal knowledge of today's most important political players and issues.

Mr. Gillespie's work on behalf of President George W. Bush and others is well known, ranging from his Chairmanship of the Republican National Committee during the 2004 election, to his service as Senior Communications Advisor to the President.

He was also a principal drafter of the now famous “Contract with America”, which in 1994 swept Republicans to control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years. Mr. Gillespie edited the paperback book “Contract with America”, which climbed to number two on the New York Times' bestseller's list in February 1995.

His new book entitled, “Winning Right” is set for release in September of 2006.     

Most recently, Mr. Gillespie led the confir mation efforts for Chief Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, and also advised Justice Samuel Alito during his confirmation process. 

“With Austin representing the center of economic and political leadership in Texas, we founded this organization to inform the Central Texas community about a wide range of issues impacting business and public policy at the highest level possible,” stated Glenn E. West of Guaranty Bank, an AEC co-Founder & its President. West is the former Executive Director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re excited to have Ed Gillespie speak to a distinctive group of Austin individuals and present us with an update of what really is in store for the remaining 4 weeks of Election 2006,” said Jim Cardle, AEC Chairman.

The Austin Economic Club is a non-profit resource whose mission is to discuss and encourage the general diffusion of free-market principles to the Austin business community, as well as to the public at large.

For more information on the Austin Economic Club, please visit www.AustinEconomicClub.com.