Governor Greg Abbott hasannounced the restructuring of key Governor’s Office divisions to increase the agency’s focus on economic development and job creation. Under the restructuring, 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. The 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, 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.
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.
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. 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.