Jessica Rogers [Photo: Fort Worth Economic Development Dept.]

Jessica Rogers, the assistant city manager of Tomball, Texas, has been appointed as the next director of the Economic Development Department of the city of Fort Worth, effective Sept. 15.

“Jessica’s proven leadership and track record in economic development make her the ideal choice to help Fort Worth achieve its ambitious goals,” Fort Worth City Manager Jay Chapa said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing the impact she will have in growing our economy and supporting our community.”

In Tomball, Rogers oversees multiple operational areas and strategic initiatives.

Formerly director of economic development in Denton

Rogers brings extensive experience in fostering business growth, attracting new investment and enhancing community vitality, the city of Fort Worth said. Before her job in Tomball, Rogers was director of economic development for the city of Denton, where she led transformative projects, developed innovative incentive programs, established an economic development strategic plan, and strengthened public-private partnerships to drive sustainable growth.

Rogers will lead Fort Worth’s economic development strategy, focusing on business recruitment and retention, workforce development, small business development, and creating a vibrant and diverse economy, the city said. She’ll also work closely with the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership to advance the city’s vision for long-term prosperity.

“I’m looking forward to joining the outstanding team at the City of Fort Worth and I’m excited to begin collaborating with the Economic Development Partnership and others to bolster business growth, attract new investment to Fort Worth and build economic vitality,” Rogers said in a statement. “Fort Worth already has an excellent track record in creating economic development and smart growth, and I am ready to get started to further that vital work.”

Rogers has also held roles with the city of Dickinson, Texas, and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation in Indiana.

Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.

 

R E A D   N E X T

  • The owners of U.S. Property Development have been involved in more than $50 million in projects over the past 18 months, the new firm said. It’s owned by investment leaders behind Fort Worth-based U.S. Energy Development Corp., and leverages operational efficiencies from a shared back-office platform.

  • John Lauer (left) and members of the Adom Industries team gather around the company’s “workcell”—the core of its cloud-connected electronics prototyping factory. Lauer likens the system to “compute for atoms,” much like a server in a data center enables “compute for bits,” calling it the Amazon Web Services of electronics prototyping. The photo was taken shortly after a major presentation to a leading electronics company, following months of preparation.

    The stealth-stage startup, led by tech entrepreneur John Lauer—who sold his last company for nearly $1 billion—is developing what it calls the world’s first cloud-connected electronics prototyping factory. “This will be one of the most high-tech factories in the world,” said Lauer.

  • North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch. Here are our editors’ picks. Plus, you’ll find more selections to “save the date.”

  • A NASA illustration depicts the idea of a future air taxi hovering over a municipal vertiport. [Rendering: NASA/Lillian Gipson and Kyle Jenkins]

    The federal research laboratory slated for Texas A&M-Fort Worth will be focused on innovative aviation technologies—including drones, air taxis, and supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.

  • The Council vote protects the work of hundreds of millions of dollars in current and future federal grants that support vital infrastructure projects and social support programs that nearly 40,000 Fort Worth residents rely on each year, as well as the jobs of 120 city employees who support these projects and programs, the city said.