EPCCC Membership Luncheon-Economic Development update with Patrick Lawler and Chris Strayer

Economic Development update with Patrick Lawler and Chris Strayer
CHRIS STRAYER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chris Strayer, executive vice president of economic development for the Fort Worth Chamber, currently oversees all aspects of economic development for FWC, including advocacy, business attraction, retention, and expansion, small business, talent, and entrepreneurship. Since he joined the organization in 2018, the Fort Worth Chamber has been recognized in Site Selection’s Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development for four consecutive years. Strayer has overseen more than 72 expansion and relocation projects, generating more than $2.5 billion in capital investments and 9,000 jobs. Projects included Amazon Prime Air, Stanley Black & Decker, Gulfstream, TJX, and Oatly. Strayer was named one of Fort Worth Inc’s 400 Most Influential People in 2020 and 2021 and one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers in 2019 and 2021. With a background in land use planning, civil & environmental engineering, construction, land development and government at the local and state level, Strayer understands the process that companies must embark upon for the expansion of their organizational footprint. Strayer holds a B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University and an Economic Development Finance Professional credential from the National Development Council.

Patrick began his municipal career in high school working on a parks crew for a small municipal utility district in Katy, Texas. After high school he attended Texas A&M University and interned for the City of Bryan both in the City Manager and Development Services departments. Once he received a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business administration Patrick moved to the North Texas area to continue his education.
 
While interning for Denton County, he attended the University of North Texas and received a Master of Public Administration degree in 2008. With professional stops in the City of The Colony and the City of Fort Worth, Patrick learned the ropes of local government and eventually took an Assistant to the City Administrator position in Hudson Oaks, Texas.
 
In late 2008, Patrick was promoted to Director of Operations and then Assistant City Administrator in 2010. Three years later, the Hudson Oaks City Council appointed Patrick as the City Administrator. After almost thirteen years with the City of Hudson Oaks Patrick sadly shared with City Council his intent to leave.
 
In 2007, Patrick co-founded ZacTax with his best friend and business partner Chad Janicek. Today, ZacTax provides subscription analysis services to over 200 Texas cities. In 2021, Patrick and Chad acquired GoVirtual CFO to provide our clients with high level accounting and financial support. Under the Eight20, ZacTax, and GoVirtual brands we serve over 220 political subdivisions in Texas assisting communities with economic development, financial management, and data analytics.
 
On a personal note, Patrick is married to Jennifer, who is way out of his league and an Assistant Principal at Aledo High School, and they have two boys, Mason and Sutton.

Event Sponsor: THE AUSOME ALLEN FOUNDATION
Spotlight Members:  Zonta and Children's Advocacy Center
Caterer:  Drake's Yoke - Sliced Brisket, Mash Potatoes, Green Beans, House Spring Salad with Ranch or Balsamic Dressing, Dinner Rolls and Brownies for Dessert, Unsweetened tea and water