Genora is a passionate advocate for rural Texas communities and rural economic development.  She is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) and Business Retention Expansion Professional (BREP).  Her 25-year career began in Ft. Stockton, TX as the Director of Tourism/Main Street Manager where she and fellow tourism professional, Tex Toler established the first high-speed open road race in Texas (1998), the Big Bend Open Road Race.

As the District Manager for nii Communications of Midland, Genora guided the set-up of the Midland office, staff training, business recruitment, retention, and expansion.  Genora also served as Tourism Consultant for the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, the Midland Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Coordinator of the John Foster West Texas Open Road Race from Midland to Rankin.

Genora served as the first Economic Development Director for the City of Eden where she facilitated the creation of a Low-Interest Revolving Loan Program and Frontera Healthcare Network, a multi-county healthcare partnership for Federally Qualified Healthcare Clinics providing healthcare, dental, and mental health services in underserved areas.

Genora directed rural economic development, fire/safety, and alternative energy programs as Director of Outreach and Special Programs while at the Texas Department of Rural Affairs.

She returned to West Texas to accept the position of Downtown Development Director for Downtown San Angelo, Inc.  Under Genora’s direction, San Angelo received the Preserve America, America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, and The First Lady of Texas Treasures Awards in 2011.

As the Director for Downtown Development, for the City of Midland, Genora was the staff liaison to the Midland Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 (TIRZ #1).  Genora facilitated the development of Basin Burger House Restaurant/Bar, the expansion of Concho Resources offices, the development of the Wall Street Lofts, and the relocation of Susie’s South 40 Candy Factory in downtown Midland.

As President/CEO of the Gonzales TX, Economic Development Corporation, Genora was the guiding force, coordinating all taxing entities in the development of the winning bid package for the largest economic development project in Gonzales’ history.  Defeating Germany, China, and Kentucky, the $50M expansion project for the German-owned BYK USA, Inc’s Gonzales site retained an $8M annual payroll, 146 jobs, created approximately 20 new jobs over 10 years, introduced cutting edge technology, robotics, automation, expanded product lines, the creation of an Enterprise Zone, and substantially added to the Gonzales tax base.

Genora’s Service Includes

• Speaker for Texas Municipal League Small Cities Seminars, Texas Main Street Managers Training, and various State/Community/Economic/Tourism, and Workforce Development programs and Workshops

• Past President Texas Midwest Community Network (26 counties, 47 cities including San Angelo & Abilene)

• Past Vice President, Regional Consortium for Economic Development/Concho Valley COG

• Texas Forts Trail Board of Directors

• Rural Economic Development Advisory Council for the Association of Rural Communities in Texas (ARCIT)

• Texas Small Business Investment Corporation Advisory Committee

• Texas Downtown Association Board of Directors

• ARCIT Board of Directors

• Texas Ambassador for Business Retention Expansion International (BREI)