Governor Abbott Announces Restructuring In Economic Development And Tourism Division
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the restructuring of key Governor’s Office divisions to increase the agency’s focus on economic development and job creation. Under the restructuring announced today, the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Music Office, the Women’s Commission and the Workforce Investment Council will now report to the Director of Economic Development. Today’s move is designed to align these divisions under the Economic Development Director so that each of the agencies is sharply focused on advancing the Governor’s job-creation agenda. Along with the restructuring announced today, Governor Abbott formally announced that Bryan Daniel has been appointed Director of Economic Development and Tourism.
Governor Abbott simultaneously announced a series of leadership appointments to manage offices now under the Economic Development Director:
Governor Abbott’s Economic Development Appointments:
Bryan Daniel, Economic Development and Tourism Division Director - Bryan Daniel joins Governor Abbott’s administration after serving as the Senior Administrator for Trade and Business Development at the Texas Department of Agriculture. He previously served as Vice President for Business Development at Agricultural Workers Mutual Auto Insurance Company and as the Texas State Director of Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in President George W. Bush’s administration. He has also held leadership positions at the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture and the National Council for Agricultural Education. He has received numerous awards from agricultural organizations, including being named Outstanding Young Agriculturalist by the Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas and the Distinguished Service Award from the Forest County Partnership. Daniel holds both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Texas Tech, where he was also Coordinator of Student and Alumni Programs.
LaChristian Taylor, Women’s Commission Director – LaChristian Taylor served as a Field Supervisor for Texans for Greg Abbott, managing Governor Abbott’s coalition-building and grassroots organizing activities in Southeast Texas. Taylor began her career at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California, where she assisted with public relations and served as a liaison between the library and museum and First Lady Nancy Reagan. Taylor subsequently served as a Field Representative for former eBay CEO and 2010 California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman’s campaign, managing get-out-the-vote operations, voter registration and local precinct operations in the Los Angeles region, and as the Senior Regional Political Director for Tony Strickland’s 2012 campaign for Congress in California’s 26th district. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Taylor is a graduate of California State University Northridge. Governor Abbott has previously stated that his goal is to make Texas the #1 state for women-owned businesses. Working under the Director of Economic Development, Taylor will work with the Governor’s economic development divisions to raise Texas from the #2 state in the nation for women-owned businesses to #1 by working to foster and grow women-owned businesses in the State of Texas.
Brendon Anthony, Music Office Director – Brendon Anthony is an Austin-based musician and entertainment entrepreneur. Anthony began playing live music with a variety of Texas acts while attending Texas A&M University, which he graduated from in 1999. In 1997, Anthony began playing full time with Pat Green, with whom he toured nationally and internationally for 15 years. During his decade and a half as a touring musician, Anthony toured both the United States and Europe, played on a gold record and was a member of the band when Pat Green received three Grammy Award nominations. In addition to being a successful touring musician, Anthony has also performed on dozens of studio recordings and produced multiple records, including Drew Womack’s “Sunshine To Rain.” In 2010, Anthony helped start OneLive Media, which began as a primary ticketing company for Texas music venues and festivals before expanding into the e-commerce industry and becoming one of the premier online entertainment sales and marketing companies in the country. Anthony is a classically-trained violinist who has played fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo both in live performances and studio recordings. Anthony was born in Dallas, raised in College Station and has now called Austin home for 16 years.