Wilco EDP Annual Report 2023 – 2024
Officers
President
Cameron Goodman
Director of Economic Development,
City of Georgetown
President-Elect
Jordan Robinson
President, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce
Treasurer
Randall Malik
Director of Economic Development,
City of Leander
Secretary
Arthur Jackson
Chief Economic Development Officer,
City of Cedar Park
Past President
Ben White
CEO/President, Taylor Economic Development Corporation
Additional Members
Christian Kurtz
Liberty Hill
Regina Carlson
Taylor EDC
Conchita Gusman
Georgetown
Danielle Morrissey
Round Rock Chamber
Nichole Vance
Leander
Scott Smith
Cedar Park
Cheney Gamboa
Hutto
Traci Anderson
Jarrell
Connie Odom
Williamson County
Judge Bill Gravell
Williamson County
Rebecca Clemons
Williamson County
Wilco EDP Team
Dave Porter
Executive Director
Amber Hernandez
Manager
EC Chi
International Consultant
Euna Cho
Manager, Korea Office
Key Events and Accomplishments
Sponsor/Speaking Role – ABJ Growth Summit
December 7, 2023 & December 18, 2024
In 2024, Wilco EDP participated as a sponsor of the ABJ Williamson County Growth Summit—the highest-attended event across all 44 Business Journal markets, with a record 960 attendees. During the event, Dave delivered a 5-minute presentation on the findings of the U.S. 79 Corridor Study, conducted by Dr. Ray Perryman, President and CEO of The Perryman Group, on behalf of Wilco EDP.
At the 2023 Summit, Wilco EDP also served as a sponsor, with Dave providing a two-minute overview of the organization.
Korea Trip
January/February 2024
U.S. Embassy invited Wilco EDP to speak at SEMICON Korea. 125 companies attended the session to learn why Williamson County is the ideal location for semiconductor suppliers. Besides SEMICON, Wilco EDP board members met with 26 companies during the week. Another highlight of the trip was a meeting with the Mayor of Yongin City. Yongin City has invited Williamson County to be a Sister City. Representatives from Williamson County, Taylor and Leander Participated in the week-long trip.
Site Consultant Event
April 2024
Hosted five national site consultants for a two-day event showcasing why Williamson County is one of the premier counties in America for corporate expansions and relocations. The event included a helicopter tour of Williamson County; workforce panel TSTC Hutto; a testimonial from Dell Technologies hosted by Plug & Play, Cedar Park; attended ACL Two-Step Inn in Georgetown.
TEDC (Texas Economic Development Council) Summer Conference
June 2024
Wilco EDP Executive Director Dave Porter served as a speaker on the topic of ‘Regionalism: A Trending Paradigm Shift in Economic Development’.
NextRise Innovation Conference, Seoul
June 2024
Wilco EDP gave a presentation titled “Why Williamson County” to 50 start-up companies. This effort led to two start-up companies relocating to Williamson County.
U.S. Department of Commerce – Select USA Spinoff Event
June 2024
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul assisted in bringing 6 companies for a two-day event showcasing Williamson County. The event included one-on-one meetings with each Wilco EDP city; workforce panel; meeting with the Governor’s Office for Economic Development; tour of the State Capital and Lunch at the Capital.
SelectUSA Conference, Washington D.C.
June 2024
The Wilco EDP exhibited at the conference which is hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote foreign direct investment. Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock Chamber, Georgetown, Jarrell and Taylor participated. This conference led to 33 company meetings.
SEMICON West – San Francisco
July 2024
SEMICON West is the premier semiconductor trade show in North America. Wilco EDP partnered with the Texas Economic Development Corporation and Yates Construction to staff a booth. Wilco EDP cities – Cedar Park, Georgetown, Taylor, Leander and the Round Rock Chamber participated. The Wilco EDP also planned a half-day tour of life science clusters in the Bay area.
2nd Annual Champions Lunch
August 2024
Sponsored by Truist Bank, the luncheon is to honor all Wilco elected officials, Managers and EDC’s who help make Williamson County one of the best Counties in the U.S. Dr. Monica Cruz with the Texas Demographic Center, San Antonio was the keynote speaker. She highlighted demographic growth and projected growth trends in Texas and Williamson County.
Wilco EDP Hosts U.S. Ambassador to Korea, Phillip Goldberg and Korean Ambassador to the U.S., Hyundong Cho
September 11, 2024
The day-long visit included a tour of Samsung, Austin, and a press conference at Taylor High School promoting the relationship between the U.S. and Korea. Following the press conference the Wilco EDP hosted a dinner at Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor.
Korea Trip
September 2024
Williamson County EDP attended Yongin Citizens Day Ceremony where Judge Gravell and Yongin City Mayor, Lee Sang-il signed a Sister City Agreement. The nonbinding agreement is based on three components: Education, Culture and economic development/high tech innovation. Other highlights from the week included meetings with 28 companies. Trip participants: City of Georgetown, City of Taylor, City of Cedar Park.
Other Key Accomplishments for 2023/2024
Wilco EDP assisted seven new companies successfully established in Williamson County. Total announced new jobs – 239 with a capital investment of $695 million. This will generate $19,160,664 in county revenues over the next 10 years.
