In Chapter 17 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Has Your Community Participation Allowed You to More Effectively Navigate the Political Process?" Curtis shares how by engaging the community across several levels - grassroots political groups, basic needs organizations, and non-profits - he's able to better understand needs and identify opportunities. He then connects this to larger Texas state-level relationships to get help to recruit new companies and create nearly 15,000 new jobs in Austin. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.