Governor Greg Abbott on Monday announced his appointment of Adriana Cruz as the executive director of the Economic Development and Tourism (EDT) division within the Office of the Governor.
Cruz joins EDT with a robust background in economic development and business, having most recently served as the president of the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP). She will lead the teams within EDT charged with promoting Texas as the best state for businesses large and small, as well as the premier destination for national and international tourism and trade. She will also work closely with local and regional economic development teams to continue to expand job creation and economic growth in rural, suburban, and metro communities across Texas.
"Texas leads the nation as the best state for business and job growth, with the most corporate relocation and expansion projects, and our economy has been growing faster than the nation as a whole,” Abbott said.
“I am confident that Adriana’s experience and perspective will help the state continue that economic momentum, further expanding the path to prosperity for more Texas families across every region of this great state.”
The Greater San Marcos Partnership, the regional economic development organization, was established in 2010 to encourage and nurture economic growth in San Marcos, and Hays and Caldwell counties.
Cruz has more than 20 years of leadership experience in economic development, marketing, and international business. Prior to assuming her role with the GSMP, Cruz was vice president of Global Corporate Recruitment for the Austin Chamber of Commerce where she was project lead in high profile corporate relocations and expansions. Cruz holds a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin, has been married for 34 years to her husband Rik and has three grown children living in the Austin area.
EDT teams within the Office of the Governor include: Business and Community Development, Research and Economic Analysis, Texas Film Commission, Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Texas Music Office, Texas Workforce Investment Council and Travel Texas.
Cruz will assume the role on Dec. 5.
