Staff

We’re Here to Advise, Educate and Inspire

Our staff members are available to answer any questions that you might have. Please contact us using the links below.

The Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) staff is committed to helping you and your business thrive. Through our unique marketing approach, TxEDC has boosted the state’s economic development initiative and created global awareness of Texas’ business friendly climate. The great state of Texas thrives when its business owners and residents do, and we want to ensure that you have all the resources necessary to achieve success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out so that we can help you Go Big in Texas.

Aaron Demerson Headshot
Aaron Demerson

President and CEO

[email protected] 512.981.6736

Aaron Demerson currently serves as the President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). TxEDC is an independently funded and operated 501 (c) (3) organization that markets Texas both domestically and internationally as a premier business destination for companies looking to locate, relocate and/or expand their existing business footprint. Prior to joining TxEDC, Demerson served as the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor Greg Abbott appointed him to the three-member Commission on August 20, 2019 and reappointed him in February 2021. He was confirmed by the Texas Senate in April 2021. In this role Commissioner Demerson served as an advocate for employers and small businesses in Texas. He also lead efforts as the Director of the Office of Employer Initiatives at the Texas Workforce Commission. Demerson was appointed Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs by Governor Abbott in November 2019. This advisory council is charged with raising public awareness of major issues affecting the state due to the rapid growth of the state’s Hispanic population and other issues resulting from changes in demographics. 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. In addition, Demerson managed the state’s innovative prepaid tuition program (formerly-The Texas Tomorrow Fund) at the State Comptroller’s Office and was employed as a Commercial Finance Analyst and Loan Administration Officer with Texas Bank (former name) in San Antonio, Texas. Demerson has been and continues to be involved in numerous social and civic organizations including the Board for the Austin Lyric Opera, the Austin Area Urban League, Chair of the Capitol Credit Union Nominating Committee, membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, the Texas Economic Development Council, the 100 Black Men of America (Austin Chapter) and is a member of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation Board of Directors. Demerson has a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He also received a general banking diploma from the American Institute of Banking, is a graduate of Leadership Austin, and had the distinct pleasure of completing the Army War College Commandants National Security Program for civilians and participating in the civilian program for the Army National Training Center (NTC).

Veronica Beyer Headshot
Veronica Beyer

Director of Marketing and Communications

[email protected] 512.981.6736

Veronica Beyer is the Director of Marketing and Communications for TxEDC. Her professional career started in television as a local on-air reporter. But after realizing she wouldn’t be Oprah (this, in her own words), she ventured into Public and Media Relations where she served as spokesperson for the Austin Community College District. She later became Chief Communications Officer for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and then was promoted to Director of Marketing for that agency. Most recently, Beyer was the Director of Media Relations for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). There she was responsible for creating and implementing statewide strategies for informing the media and public about TxDOT’s many highway projects and multitude of marketing campaigns, such as Don’t mess with Texas and Click It or Ticket, aimed at protecting the beauty of the state’s roadways and saving lives. Beyer is a graduate of Texas State University. She’s also completed the Governor’s Executive Development Program and Leadership Texas, two renowned leadership training programs. Most importantly, she is the proud mother of two daughters and the most loving Italian Mastiff. In her spare time, you can catch Veronica at a live music performance, enjoying everything from classical and jazz to classic rock and electronic music.

Scott Buchholtz Headshot
Scott Buchholtz

Director of Operations

[email protected] 512.981.6736

Scott Buchholtz is the Director 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.

Michael Chrobak Headshot
Michael Chrobak

Executive Vice President

[email protected] 512.981.6736

Michael Chrobak is responsible for spearheading strategic marketing activities for Go Big in Texas, a program to market Texas as an ideal business destination including market awareness, events management, location marketing, business relations and industry development for the state. Chrobak served in prior leadership positions as Chief Financial Officer for the Economic Development & Tourism Division within the Office of Governor Rick Perry, Director of the Texas Economic Development Bank, Senior Director of Dell Ventures, a strategic business development initiative for Dell Computers, Director of Corporate Development, computer products and Internet services for Compaq Computer, and Manager, Product Development and International Business Development, education and calculator products for Texas Instruments. Chrobak holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, a Master of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and a Master of Arts in Economics from Southern Methodist University. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America by Consultant Connect.

Christin M. Evans Headshot
Christin M. Evans

Vice President, External Affairs

[email protected] 512.981.6736

Before joining TxEDC, Christin served as National Fundraising Director for a Presidential Campaign where she managed a multi-million-dollar fundraising operation. She began her fundraising career with the Republican Party of Texas. Christin's previous experience blends political strategy with execution of deliverables in public affairs and messaging. Directing the day-to-day operations for a national media firm, she worked closely with political clients at all levels managing deadlines and strategic deliverables. She began her career in Texas, where she worked as a governmental affairs associate for a top Austin consulting firm and handled accounts at a public affairs company for a variety of corporate and political clients. Christin is a graduate of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and has a Master's in Business Administration degree from Texas State University. She enjoys traveling and currently resides in Austin, Texas.

Rosalyn Barnett Headshot
Rosalyn Barnett

Director of Events

[email protected] 512.981.6736

Rosalyn Barnett is the Director of Events for the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). Prior to joining TxEDC, Barnett worked in the sports industry for the PGA TOUR, LIV Golf, and several Fortune 500 companies on the agency side. Her favorite sports memory was attending The 150th Open in St Andrews. Barnett grew up in Washington, DC and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. She currently resides in Austin with her husband and golden retriever.

Willette Wallace Headshot
Willette Wallace

Executive Assistant to the President and CEO

[email protected] 512.981.6736

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 eight grandchildren and GG to three great grandchildren.

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