Guy Diedrich is the Texas A&M University System's new vice chancellor for federal and state relations, and Frank Ashley III is the new vice chancellor of recruitment and diversity. The school's new chancellor, John Sharp, announced the promotions and also said he'll bring in a management consulting firm — MGT of America — to try to streamline operations. Diedrich, founder and president of Austin Technology Ventures, had a similar job at A&M until 2010. Ashley has been the system's vice chancellor for academic affairs since May 2007. Stanton Calvert, the current head of government relations for A&M will become vice chancellor emeritus.

Gov. Rick Perry added some staffers to his presidential campaign, including Chip Roy, who assisted on the governor's book Fed Up. He and Brandy Marty will be senior advisors. Victoria Coates, Sean Davis Emily Domenech and Shana Gooch will join the campaign's policy shop. Roy was most recently director of state-federal relations for the governor. Marty was his director of budget, planning and policy. Coates worked for Donald Rumsfeld and will advise Perry on foreign policy. Davis was a U.S. Senate staffer and CFO for The Daily Caller; he'll be an economic advisor. Domenech worked for the secretary of defense from 2007-11; she'll work on defense, energy and environmental issues.

Press corps moves: Scott Braddock, who got to Austin about ten minutes ago, is moving to Houston to join a new all-news radio operation at 92 on the FM dial. He came to Austin and the Texas State Network from Dallas, and did a fair amount of Capitol coverage in both gigs. The new place goes on the air on November 14.

Deaths: Travis Sampley, chief of staff to state Rep. Ralph Sheffield, from an aortic dissection. He was 32. A memorial service will be held in Austin next Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, across the street from the Capitol.

Roy Talley, a longtime lobbyist for Mobil Oil known for regularly holding court at breakfast at the Driskill Hotel. He was 80.