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Hidden Gems: City of Taylor, City of Manor, City of Lockhart 

It’s no secret that the surrounding areas of the greater Austin area are growing exponentially. The Cities of Taylor, Manor and Lockhart are truly Hidden Gems, each with their own unique and special opportunities, and we are not just talking about the BBQ.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion with Economic Development leaders, Mark Thomas, President/CEO of the Taylor Economic Development Corporation, Mike Kamerlander, CEcD, City of Lockhart, and Scott Jones, Economic Development Director City of Manor. During this moderated conversation, our panelist will touch on how each city is working with the explosive growth, how large corporations continue to fuel that growth, the role of SH-130 as the great connector, and what is on the horizon.

Panelists Include:

Mark Thomas | City of Taylor

Mark Thomas is currently the President/CEO of the Taylor Economic Development Corporation. Mark holds the CED designation which is the professional designation for the economic development Industry. Mark has been in the economic development field for over 30 years and has directed EDC programs in Midland, Waco, Georgetown and now Taylor during his career.  The Taylor Economic Development Corporation Type A is the primary funding source for economic development for the community and Mark manages the organization, recruits companies and provides incentives from the funds. Awards include the 2022 CEDA award for best Manufacturing project, 2007 CEDA Award for Best Achievement in Economic Development, 2005 IEDC for the Best Marketing program in the United States.   

Mike Kamerlander | City of Lockhart

Mike Kamerlander is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Lockhart, Texas.  Mike’s role at the City of Lockhart is to execute its economic development strategic plan and to promote Lockhart as a destination for job creation. Most recently, Mike was the Assistant Director, Economic Development for the City of San Antonio.  He was also the Executive Director at the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation. Prior to Bastrop, Mike served as Vice President at the Greater San Marcos Partnership where he was instrumental in attracting an Amazon Fulfillment Center which was the largest job creation and investment announcement ever in Hays County, TX at the time.  He also served as the Director of Business Retention and Expansion at the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Mike is a native Floridian, having grown up in the Orlando area.  He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Government.

Scott Jones | City of Manor

Scott Jones, Economic Development Director, City of Manor. Mr. Jones obtained a Bachelors from UT Dallas with a double major in economics and finance, Magna Cum Laude. He has held a Texas Real Estate Broker’s License for 45 years. He is the son of a real estate broker, developer and builder from Dallas, and has developed extensive commercial, residential and mixed-use properties in North Dallas, Richardson, Frisco, and Rockwall throughout the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. Mr. Jones spent 18 years in Fortune 500 and Russell 2000 commercial tenant representation and site selection nationwide, heading the Dallas offices of three major specialty firms including Cresa, the nation’s largest real estate user representative. He has 9 years of public side experience in economic development roles working for cities of up to 120K population, counties, Chambers of Commerce, Type A and Type B EDCs. Mr. Jones is a former Planning and Zoning and former City Council member. He is married and has six grown children and four grandchildren, and occasionally still has time to enjoy his pursuits in the outdoors when he’s not busy attracting jobs and capital investment.

Moderator: 

Deeda Lovett | Community Impact

Deeda Lovett is the general manager for three editions of Community Impact Newspaper in Central Austin and Southwest Austin/ Dripping Springs. With 38 hyperlocal editions and more than 2.5 million in circulation, Community Impact Newspaper is the most widely distributed publication in Texas. Prior to joining Community Impact, Lovett worked as a television news anchor and reporter in Oklahoma and Texas —most recently at CBS Austin. Lovett serves on the marketing committee for the United Way of Greater Austin and is an active member of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband live in Austin with their two young sons. 

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