Rey Rodriguez has 20 years of experience in government relations, public policy, planning and program development in local, regional, state, and federal government. In his role as Associate Vice Chancellor for Government Relations, Rodriguez serves as the UNT System's Chief Policy Operations Officer.

Rodriguez has held multiple leadership positions and appointments since joining the UNT System in 2001. He is responsible for successfully developing strategic approaches to top priorities and engaging diverse stakeholders – including students, faculty, administration, elected officials, and community leaders – in order to achieve defined outcomes.

Prior to joining the UNT System, Mr. Rodriguez served as special advisor to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and as professional staff for a member of Congress and the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. He previously served as Legislative Director of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in the Texas House of Representatives. He received his master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, where he was a National Science Foundation scholar.  He is an alumnus of Leadership Austin and the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Leadership in State and Local Government.