Team & Board Members

Team Texas

• • • • • Advisory Board Member

       

Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC)

• • • • • • Executive Committee
          • Mentorship Program
          • Future Leaders Training Program
          • Forward Planning Committee
          • Communications Committee
          • Conference Committee
          • Economic Development Sales Tax Committee
          • Education Committee
          • Membership Committee
          • Political Action Committee
          • Workforce Development Committee

         

International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

• • • • • • International Advisory Committee

Texas Midwest Communities Network (TMCN)

• • • • • Board Member

       

The High Ground of Texas

• • • • • Board Members

       

West Central Texas Council of Governments

• • • • • Chair, Economic Development Advisory Board

       

Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC)

Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC)

YTexas

Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)

Business Retention Expansion International (BREI)

Texas Food Processors Association (TFPA)

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA), Misty Mayo leads the DCOA team with over 30 years of experience in economic development, executive management, strategic planning, and marketing. She is responsible for driving the DCOA’s mission to lead economic growth in Abilene by attracting and sustaining industries that support job creation, foster strong business, and ensure a prosperous community.

Since joining the Abilene Team in August of 2019, Misty has led the DCOA to approve and support over 30 projects assisting new industry growth and existing company expansions and bringing in over $2.7 billion in capital investment to the community.

Prior to her tenure at the DCOA, Misty served as the President and CEO of the Boerne/Kendall County Economic Development Corporation and as the Executive Vice President of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. In her various roles, Misty led efforts to create jobs and bring new capital investment through company expansions with businesses like Lancium, Great Lakes Cheese, Primal Pet Group, Becton Dickinson, Medtronic’s National Diabetes Therapy Headquarters, The Capital Group Companies, Petco, Allstate, CST Brands, and Kohl’s shared services center.

An honors graduate of West Texas A&M University, Misty was inducted into the WTAMU Communication Hall of Fame in 2016. She holds several certificates in economic development and non-profit management and serves on a variety of Boards, including contributing as an Advisory Council Board Member of Team Texas and Executive Board Member & Treasurer of the Texas Economic Development Council.

Misty Mayo has led an award-winning team in Abilene, receiving the honor of being recognized as a Top 14 City in the United States for Community Impact Project, Top 15 City in the United States for Corporate Investment Project, and the Number 8 City in the Nation for Economic Development. In 2022, Misty Mayo was named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America.

Misty was recruited to Abilene to lead the DCOA. Misty and her husband, Ted, have three children and a granddaughter. Misty was raised as an “Army Brat”, living in many states and countries, but was fortunate to spend the majority of her life as a Texan.

Certifications:

• Basic Economic Development
• Public Information Act
• Open Meetings Act
• Economic Development Sales Tax
• Strategic Planning
• Change Leadership

Julie Johncox is an accomplished economic developer and government relations leader. As Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the Development Corporation of Abilene, she cultivates the vision for the organization, implements new strategies, collaborates with partners and guides the performance of the team. She also oversees capital improvement projects, strategic initiatives, and daily operations.

Julie has an exceptional track record of leadership having served in roles at the local, state and federal levels. She previously held leadership positions in economic development for the Texas State Comptroller, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and she served as the executive for economic development organizations in Amarillo, Texas and New Mexico.

With extensive experience launching initiatives that involve collaborating with community partners and government leaders, she has implemented multi-faceted statewide and regional programs.  Julie discovered a passion for development and commercial real estate projects, including acquisition, planning and historic preservation.

She has extensive leadership training in economic development including being a certified community developer and holds a community development certificate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, she also has a degree in journalism and public relations from Southwest Texas State University. In addition, she has served on a variety of noteworthy boards, including the Texas Downtown Association, Leadership Women, and currently serves on the PAC Committee for Texas Economic Development Council, International Committee for International Economic Development Council and on the Texas Midwest Communities Network.

Akane Thaxton brings a diverse range of business operations skills to the Development Corporation of Abilene team.

As the Finance Manager, Akane manages the DCOA’s financial reporting and offers support with contract compliance, records management, and the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program.

Akane is a member of the Texas Economic Development Council’s Future Leaders Training Program and has a bachelor’s degree in human communication with an emphasis on organizational communication from Abilene Christian University.

She serves as a volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, including KACU Radio, Keep Abilene Beautiful, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Rick Jones knows the ins and outs of warehouse facility operations. He has more than 20 years of experience specializing in construction and renovation project oversight, heavy equipment operation, and purchasing.

Rick has been the Facilities Manager for the Development Corporation of Abilene since 2016. He serves as a supervisor for capital improvement projects and manages DCOA-owned properties.

Before joining the DCOA team, Rick spent 16 years in commercial construction and management and is trained in fire science and hazardous materials response.

With a foundation in public relations and marketing, Ashley Whitmer is the Associate Marketing Manager for the Development Corporation of Abilene. Ashley is responsible for managing marketing initiatives, implementing strategy and visioning efforts, and delivering special projects.

Ashley previously served as a public relations intern for the Oxford Park Commission, where she developed and implemented public relations strategies.  She also gained experience as a marketing intern for Charity Advertising and Marketing Partners in Dallas, where she managed social media content and created communications materials.

Ashley has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communication strategy from the University of Mississippi and helped launch the Women in Business chapter in Oxford, Mississippi.