Cruz named state's new Executive Director of Economic Development and Tourism

Gov. Greg Abbott named Greater San Marcos Partnership President Adriana Cruz as Texas’ new executive director of economic development and tourism. 

Abbott made the announcement Monday. Cruz will be tasked with leading the teams within the EDT to continue “promoting Texas as the best state for businesses large and small, as well as the premier destination for national and international tourism and trade,” the governor's office said in a press release. 

Cruz will work with local and regional economic development teams to help job creation and economic growth throughout the state.  

"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 in a statement. “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.”

Cruz is the president of GSMP, which serves San Marcos, Hays and Caldwell counties by nurturing economic growth. Before joining the GSMP, Cruz was the vice president of Global Corporate Recruitment for the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Cruz graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, which she received her B.B.A in Marketing. 

Cruz will begin her role in the governor's office on Dec. 5.