Riley Simmons, II

Mr. Simmons, II has served as a senior-level executive in public finance investment banking in structuring and marketing a wide range of financings for local and state issuers, including education, general capital improvements, airports, water and sewer systems, housing,  convention centers, and healthcare facilities. His career has included serving as a banker at a major Wall Street investment banking firm and boutique firms where he participated in more than $51 billion in negotiated municipal bond financings.

Before joining the investment banking community, Mr. Simmons served as a Policy Advisor to a Presidential appointee in the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. Also, he assisted in developing federal policies and regulations for local school systems. From a national perspective, Mr. Simmons has considerable experience in planning, program development, policy, and legislation for public education programs. 

He is a member of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, where he served in various leadership positions, including the Finance Committee and Treasurer. He is a member of the Council on Finance & Administration for the North Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He has served as a member of nonprofit boards, including his role as a founder and board chairman of the Texas Higher Education Initiative – a partnership with nine Texas universities and four school districts to provide financial assistance to first-year college students.

Mr. Simmons graduated from Southern Methodist University (Master’s Degree in Public Administration) and Bishop College (Bachelor of Arts) and studied at Harvard University.