www.riacevents.org/ace/texas 1 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas INDEX PAGE THE ACE 7 PROGRAM 5 Communities, Sites, Speakers & Experts 8 San Antonio 70 San Marcos 42 New Braunfels 92 College Station 60 Fredericksburg 109 Austin THE ACE 7 PARTICIPANTS 147 From the public, private and academic sector The ACE 7 ORGANIZERS 172 US - OAS 188 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas Dear ACE participants, I am very pleased to welcome you to the to maximize the use of their talents and skills to Seventh Americas Competitiveness Exchange support innovation, lower transaction costs, and on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE), responsibly produce and trade valuable goods on behalf of the Organization of American and services. Economic Development requires States (OAS)- Technical Secretariat of the Inter- effective, collaborative institutions focused American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), the on advancing mutual gain for the public and U.S. Department of Commerce (International the private sector. Economic Development is Trade Administration-ITA and Economic essential to ensuring our economic future.” Development Administration-EDA), the U.S. Department of State (Permanent Mission of the We live in a time of unprecedented opportunity United States to the OAS), the Government of for our citizens to participate fully in a 21st Mexico as the 2016-2017 Chair Pro Tempore of century economy: an economy characterized RIAC, and the great State of Texas. by innovation, research and development, value-added production, exports, and emerging You were selected from a highly competitive pool of global and regional sectors such as advanced manufacturing. I hope leaders to participate in this activity, which is designed to share good practices, you will embrace this opportunity to establish connect talent and networks, and generate multiple opportunities to explore new partnerships and economic opportunities and expand the links between our economies. ACE plays a critical role in as we work together towards building the future strengthening hemispheric and global ties by building on ideas and models of our region. that work to create jobs for our citizens. At the OAS, we believe that when the right partners increase their level of interaction the opportunities for job creation, increased investment, and improved prosperity are optimized. Since 2014, ACE has been an important vehicle in advancing commerce and trade between participating economies, accelerating business prospects, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders. Kim Osborne Executive Secretary for Integral Development As the U.S. Economic Development Administration states, “Economic Organization of Development creates the conditions for economic growth and improved American States quality of life by expanding the capacity of individuals, firms, and communities 3 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas Greetings: As Governor of Texas, it is my pleasure to welcome all in attendance to the 20l7 Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE) Tour. In Texas, we are proud to have a strong economy based upon a business climate conducive to growth, prosperity and upward mobility. Our economic environment fosters competition and innovation, keeping the Lone Star State at the forefront of business and industry in the United States. ACE helps bring together decision-makers from across the globe to secure new international and regional partnerships. The goal of these partnerships is to develop business relationships and strengthen innovation while creating new economic development opportunities. I applaud the efforts of all involved in hosting and bringing this event to the cities of Austin, College Station, San Marcos, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels and San Antonio. The partnership of these regional comunities and their robust plan to present a weeklong Central and South Texas program highlights the best of our great state. As you come together to forge new partnerships, strengthen the old and share ideas and knowledge with your peers, I commend you all for your commitment to business excellence and wish you future success. First Lady Cecilia Abbott joins me in wishing you a successful event. STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Sincerely, Greg Abbott Governor 4 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas 5 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas Texas is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. Geographically located in the south central part of the TEXAS country, Texas shares borders with the U.S. states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico; and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, while the Gulf of Mexico is to the southeast. Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S., while San Antonio is the second most populous in the state and seventh largest in the U.S. Other major cities include Austin, the second most populous state capital in the U.S., and El Paso. Due to its size and geologic features such as the Balcones Fault, Texas contains diverse landscapes that resemble both the U.S. southern and southwestern regions. Although Texas is popularly associated with the U.S. southwestern deserts, less than 10 percent of Texas’ land area is desert. Most of the population centers are located in areas of former prairies, grasslands, forests, and the coastline. As of 2014, Texas had a gross state product (GSP) of $1.648 trillion, the second highest in the U.S. Its GSP is greater than the GDPs of Australia and South Korea, which are the world’s 12th- and 13th-largest economies, respectively. Texas’s large population, abundance of natural resources, thriving cities https://texas.gov/ and leading centers of higher education have contributed to a large and diverse economy. 6 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas GREG ABBOTT BIOGRAPHY Governor of Texas http://gov.texas.gov/ Greg Abbott, the 48th Governor of His Governor’s University Research Initiative will help Texas Texas, continues building on his record universities attract the best and brightest minds. With of strong, conservative leadership. voter approval in November 2016, billions of dollars will be Previously the longest-serving added for Texas roads—without raising fees, tolls, taxes or Attorney General in Texas history and debt. a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court, Governor Abbott has long defended the constitutional A staunch defender of our liberties and 2nd Amendment principles on which this state and our nation were rights, Governor Abbott made protecting Texas founded. communities his top priority during his tenure as the 50th Texas Attorney General. Governor Abbott’s vision for an even stronger Texas of tomorrow is focused on creating more jobs and economic Abbott previously served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme opportunity, elevating our schools and education system, Court and as a State District Judge in Harris County. building the transportation infrastructure needed to keep the economy growing and securing the Texas A native Texan, Governor Abbott was born in Wichita border. Falls and raised in Duncanville. After graduating from The University of Texas with a B.B.A. in Finance, he received Understanding it that Texas must lead the way for our his law degree from Vanderbilt University. Shortly after nation, Governor Abbott continues to fight to preserve graduating from law school, he was partially paralyzed by our shared values—like faith, family and freedom—for a falling tree while jogging. future generations. Governor Abbott is an avid sportsman and hunter. He and Following the successful 2015 Legislative Session, which his wife, Cecilia, have been married for 35 years. She is a saw many of his Bicentennial Blueprint priorities earn former school teacher and principal, and the first Hispanic strong bipartisan support, Governor Abbott signed First Lady of Texas. They live in Austin. Their daughter, into law the largest tax cut in Texas in nearly a decade, Audrey, attends college. including an increase in the homestead exemption and a permanent 25% cut in the business franchise tax. 7 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas SAN ANTONIO http://visitsanantonio.com/ The 7th ACE will kick off in Forbes’ #1 “Hottest City for Millennials” - San Antonio, the largest city in Central Texas and the 7th largest in the United States. With a population, close to 1.5 million, San Antonio is one of the most diverse, internationally connected and inclusive cities. With a vibrant culture and economy, it is consistently ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the United States and in 2018 will be celebrating its 300th anniversary. The leaders and decision makers that attend ACE Central Texas will get a firsthand look at the depth of opportunities that exist within the region and in San Antonio, in industries such as bioscience and healthcare, aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, and transportation manufacturing. 8 www.riacevents.org/ace/texas The Honorable Ivy R. Taylor Mayor of San Antonio www.sanantonio.gov/mayor Ivy R. Taylor was elected Mayor of San Antonio on June 13, 2015. Prior to her election, she earned an appointment to the seat from her City Council colleagues in July 2014, making her the first African- American woman to serve as mayor of a city with more than one million people and only the second female mayor of San Antonio. Before becoming mayor, she served on City Council for five years. Mayor Taylor is focused on making San Antonio a globally competitive city where all residents are connected to opportunities for prosperity. To achieve this, some of the mayor’s initiatives include developing a sustainable city budget, implementing the Comprehensive Master Plan, creating a job-friendly environment, growing the workforce, investing in human capital, establishing affordable and livable communities, and building and maintaining basic infrastructure. Working alongside the City Council, she helped achieve unanimous approval for the Vista Ridge Pipeline project, which will ensure the water supply for one of the nation’s fastest growing cities. After a two-year stalemate, the mayor helped facilitate a mediated agreement between the city and the police union.