Prior to joining Cornerstone, Vernie had a long and distinguished career on Capitol Hill as a senior professional staff member in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Most recently, Vernie served as the minority chief counsel to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Vernie also served as majority general counsel and majority deputy chief counsel for the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Before moving to the Senate, Vernie spent 20 years as a professional staff member for the House Committee on Agriculture. While in the House, he held several positions on the Agriculture Committee, including serving as minority counsel/legislative director and staff director and chief counsel/legislative director. In these various positions Vernie has been involved in all issues under the jurisdiction of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, including procedure and management.

Vernie earned a law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law after graduating from Texas A&M University. Vernie is a native of Riviera, TX and is married with one child.