Team

Aaron Demerson currently serves at the President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). TxEDC is an independently funded and operated 501 (c) (3) organization that strategically partners and markets Texas both domestically and internationally as a premier business destination for companies looking to locate, relocate and/or expand their existing business footprint. Previously, Demerson served as the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission. In this role, Demerson advocated for over 660,000 Texas employers and over 3 million small businesses. Prior to his appointment he led activities as the Director of the Office of Employer Initiatives at the Texas Workforce Commission. Prior to employment at the Texas Workforce Commission, he served as a Senior Advisor to then Governor Rick Perry and Executive Director of the Economic Development & Tourism Division in the Governor’s Office, leading a team that marketed the State of Texas as a premier destination for both business and travel. He has also served as the Director of Business Development, the Director of Administration, and managed the Finance Division for the Texas Economic Development Agency. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Leadership Austin and is proud to have participated in both the Army War College and National Training Center civilian programs.

Scott Buchholtz is the Vice President of Operations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation with oversight of the Corporation’s Human Resource, Accounting, Payroll, Benefits, Insurance, Bookkeeping, IT and general business operations. Prior to working for TxEDC, Buchholtz served in various leadership positions as the Vice President of Human Resources for Citizens Inc. (NYSE:CIA), the Director of Human Resources for the Texas Railroad Commission and 123 Home Care. Prior to Buchholtz’ Human Resources career, he founded two small businesses here in Texas. Buchholtz holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Trinity University. He currently lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and daughter.

Bonnie Downs is the Director of Communications at the Texas Economic Development Corporation. Before joining the TxEDC team, she was the Communications Director for the Commissioner Representing Employers at the Texas Workforce Commission. She developed and coordinated office messaging, public information and social media content for the office, which advocated for over 660,000 Texas employers and 3 million small businesses. Prior to TWC, she served at the Texas Veterans Commission as an Education Outreach Specialist, assisting in marketing, promotional, and outreach campaigns for the Veterans Education Program. She is a graduate of Arizona State University and a Veteran of the United States Army. Prior to attending college, she enlisted and served in the Military Police Corps for 5 years. She also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Team Leader and is a recipient of the Combat Action Badge awarded from her tour in Iraq. Outside of the office, she enjoys playing & watching tennis, traveling, and keeping up with all Texas sports.

Brooklynn Mullins is the Marketing, Communications, and Events Coordinator for the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). She recently graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and she is currently working on attaining her Digital Marketing Certifications through the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business. Before joining TxEDC, Brooklynn worked in the social media space with over 20 brands, such as Maison Margiela, Sunday Riley, Poppi, Target, IKEA, and more. Her favorite memory from her time in the social media space was working with the L’Oreal team for National Hair Day, where she worked alongside world-renowned hairstylists and creators. She grew up in Atlanta, GA, but she is excited to be in the Lone Star State. Brooklynn loves to travel abroad and currently resides in Austin, TX.

Dale Robertson currently serves as Vice President-Business Development for the Texas Economic Development Corporation. In this role he is responsible for promoting TxEDC to economic development organizations, higher education institutions, workforce development and corporate business networks statewide. In addition, he provides information for direct leads that come into the office as a result of the marketing efforts. Those leads are properly vetted and referred to the Economic Development & Tourism team at the Governor’s Office and/or sent to the proper responsible entity. Prior to this role, Dale was employed with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Department of Commerce and worked in various capacities including the following: • Interim Director of the Office of Employer Initiatives • Manager of the Skills Development Fund Department • Coordinator of Dislocated Worker and Rapid Response Services • Program Monitor and other related positions In his various roles, Dale was responsible for connecting businesses with value-added workforce solutions. During his career Dale administered over $300M in state funding for skills training projects. His work involved relationship and partnership development with local businesses, community colleges, workforce development boards and economic development partners throughout the State of Texas. His work also included service on several national organizations which furthered partnership development with workforce and economic development professionals throughout the United States of America. Mr. Robertson is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. He is married and has four beautiful children and is involved with numerous volunteer community-based organizations.

Dr. Valerie G. Segovia is the Vice President of Investor Relations at the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC), promoting Texas as a top business destination. With over 30 years of leadership experience, including 15 transformative years at Texas A&M’s Nuclear Power Institute, she has pioneered workforce development programs and forged global partnerships in the energy sector. Dr. Segovia has served as a national expert and keynote speaker for organizations like the IAEA and the World Institute for Nuclear Security and recently chaired Governor Greg Abbott’s Texas Advanced Nuclear Working Group subcommittees. An advocate for education and workforce readiness, holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, two master’s degrees in counseling and administration and supervision, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Segovia is a children’s book author, content creator, former podcast host, wife, mother, and proud “Bubbie.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, two master’s degrees in counseling and administration and supervision, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Willette Wallace is the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO for the Texas Economic Development Corporation. Before joining TxEDC, she served as Executive Assistant to the Commissioner Representing Employers at the Texas Workforce Commission where she was responsible for professional assistance work for the Commissioner, Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff. She managed office workloads and day-to-day activities of the office; the Commissioner’s appointment calendar and processed meeting/event requests. Before her position with the Commissioner Representing Employers, Willette served as Executive Assistant to the Texas Workforce Commission’s General Counsel and Administrative Assistant to TWC’s Information Technology Division’s Deputy CIO. Prior to joining TWC, she had the pleasure of serving four judges during her twenty-one-year tenure as their Executive Assistant on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. She has also worked for Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the Texas Senate. Willette is originally from Marshall, Texas and was an Austin resident for thirty-nine years. She currently resides in Seguin, Texas and is Grandma Lette to nine grandchildren and GG Lette to six great grandchildren.

With 15 years of marketing experience across industries including hospitality, e-commerce, fintech, and software, Jessica brings a deep understanding of how to build meaningful connections through grassroots, traditional and digital platforms. As the Director of Web and Digital Marketing for the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC), she is passionate about showcasing why Texas is the ultimate destination for businesses to thrive and grow. A native Texan, Jessica returned home nine years ago after spending a decade in New York to open Lotus Chinese in The Domain with her husband. Combining her entrepreneurial spirit with her marketing expertise, she has built a career focused on innovation, community, and meaningful impact. Jessica is dedicated to driving Texas’ economic success while continuing to grow her roots in the state she proudly calls home. When she’s not touting Texas as the best state, she’s traveling with her husband and daughter in pursuit of delicious food!