Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Dallas-based Indian-American entrepreneur Arun Agarwal as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC).
As part of a key public-private partnership with the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism, TEDC is responsible for marketing Texas both domestically and globally as the premier U.S. state for business, the governor's office said in a statement.
The appointment underscores Texas' commitment to diversity and highlights the growing influence of Indian-American leaders in key economic positions, it said.
Agarwal's extensive experience in business, philanthropy and international relations is expected to further strengthen Texas's position as a global economic power, the statement said.
As CEO of Nextt, Agarwal oversees a diverse portfolio that includes textiles, cotton trading, real estate and sports management. He is also the Chairman of the National Cricket League (NCL), USA, a new initiative that has quickly gained recognition.
Additionally, he is the co-chair of the Indian American CEO Council, President of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Board, and a board member of several prestigious organizations including the US India Friendship Council, the Board of the University of Texas, the Texas Tech Innovation HUB, and the MD Anderson Board of Visitors.
Agarwal holds an MBA from IMT, Ghaziabad, a Masters in Computer Information Systems from Southern New Hampshire University and an Advanced Certificate in International Business from Harvard University.
Of his new role as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), Agarwal said, “I am honored to take on this role and advance Texas' ambitious economic goals. I look forward to leveraging our state's diverse talent and global connections to drive economic growth and enhance Texas' importance on the world stage.”
Most recently, he led a successful delegation trip to India with Governor Abbott to strengthen economic relations between Texas and India.
In his new role, Agarwal will play a critical role in implementing Governor Abbott's vision of positioning Texas as a global economic leader.
First published: August 25, 2024 | 7:52 am IS