Nicole Sunstrum

Nicole Sunstrum was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as the first Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD). She was subsequently approved unanimously by the District’s Board of Directors. Nicole has been with GCPD since its inception, working with federal, state, and local stakeholders to advance the Coastal Texas Project, also referred to as the “Ike Dike”. 

Nicole has extensive experience working in Texas Government with over 15 years in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives. Since 2013, she has been instrumental in efforts to bring a coastal barrier system to the Texas Gulf Coast. Most recently, Nicole served as the Legislative Director to State Senator Larry Taylor as the lead on policy issues relating to water, natural resources, economic development, disaster, and infrastructure.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in Government and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University with a focus on Urban and Environmental Planning.