Texas Space Commission leader to speak at RGV LEAD’s State of Education and Industry summit

EDINBURG, Texas – Norman Roy Garza, Jr., the newly appointed executive director of the Texas Space Commission, will give the keynote address at the upcoming State of Education and Industry summit in Edinburg.

The summit is being hosted by RGV LEAD (Linking Economic and Academic Development). It will take place Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, starting 11:00 am. 

Edinburg Economic Development Corporation will be the event’s Legacy Builder Sponsor. The Prosperity Sponsor will be South Texas College.

Marcos Silva, executive director of RGV LEAD, said the State of Education and Industry summit will serve as a platform for collaboration, discussing the Rio Grande Valley’s current and future workforce needs, and showcasing partnerships that have a direct impact on RGV students’ upward mobility. 

He said the summit is a call to action to forge stronger partnerships shaping the RGV community’s future.

“We are excited to organize an event that speaks directly to the mission of RGV LEAD. The State of Education and Industry will present elements that have impacted and will continue to impact the economic prosperity and education of our youth, in alignment with our workforce needs,” Silva said.

Marcos Silva, executive director of RGV LEAD.

Silva said that for over 30 years, RGV LEAD has connected industry and educational leaders to address the workforce demands of the Valley. He said its mission is to equip the region’s youth with the skills and credentials needed to thrive in the 21st century.

Silva said the State of Education and Industry summit will include a panel discussion on K-12, college, and industry partnerships that provide RGV students with life-changing opportunities.

The Texas Space Commission was created to further cement Texas’ position as a national leader in the space industry and secure its future in space exploration and development for the next generation of Texans.

Garza was appointed executive director of the agency by Gov. Greg Abbott.

“The Texas Space Commission was created last year to ensure that our great state remains the national leader in space exploration and innovation for decades to come,” Abbott said.

“Norman Garza will help lead that mission as the Commission’s first executive director. From serving in several leadership roles with the Texas A&M University System and for the State of Texas, Norman brings a wealth of experience that will serve him well as he spearheads our state’s Space Commission. I look forward to working with Norman and the entire Texas Space Commission to secure the future of Texas’ robust space industry.” 

Gwen Griffin is chair of the Texas Space Commission’s board of directors. Griffin welcomed Garza’s appointment as executive director.

“On behalf of my fellow directors, I’m pleased that Norman accepted the Executive Director position,” Griffin said. “His ideas and expertise will be of immediate benefit as we work on our first strategic plan and to hire key staff. I’d like to thank the directors on the hiring subcommittee for thoroughly and expeditiously conducting the search.”

RGV LEAD’s Silva said the Texas Space Commission is at the forefront of strengthening Texas’ leadership in civil, commercial, and military aerospace activities. He said the agency’s mission includes promoting innovation in space exploration and commercial aerospace opportunities, as well as integrating space, aeronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economy. 

Garza said he is thrilled to be executive director of the Texas Space Commission.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected by the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors,” Garza said. “Governor Abbott, Chairman Bonnen, and the Texas Legislature have provided clear objectives for us to tackle in a short amount of time. 

“Through strategic efforts by the Texas Space Commission, as well as critical input from members of our Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium, Texas will achieve innovative technological advancements that can significantly support many sectors of the commercial space exploration industry. 

“In turn, the Lone Star State will continue to make substantial gains in economic development. Today, just like in 1964 when NASA opened the Johnson Space Center, Texans everywhere will be excited about what we are doing to help propel the Texas space economy into the future.”

About Norman Roy Garza, Jr.

Norman Roy Garza, Jr. joined the Texas A&M University System in 2014. Since then, he has served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Government Relations and External Affairs for three state agencies funded by the state legislature, Engineering Experiment Station and Engineering Extension Service and Transportation Institute, as well as the Vice President of Government Relations for the flagship campus, Texas A&M University in College Station. While at Texas A&M, Garza supported major initiatives such as partnering with U.S. Army Futures Command to create the Bush Combat Development Complex; obtaining management contracts from National Nuclear Security Administration for Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Pantex Plant; and establishing the Texas Semiconductor Institute and the Texas Space Institute, a $200 million Texas A&M facility to be constructed next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. In his role, Garza worked closely with the Texas Legislature on the development and passage of HB 3447 in the 88th Regular Session which established the Texas Space Commission and worked on the appropriation for the Texas Space Institute. Previously, Garza was an Associate Legislative Director at Texas Farm Bureau and also worked for a state senator at the Texas Capitol. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Edward’s University. He also studied at the Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina and earned a certificate through the Governor’s Executive Development Program at The University of Texas at Austin. 

Editor’s Note: To learn more about tickets or sponsorship opportunities for the State of Education and Industry, email ycazarez@rgvlead.org.

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