In the news
Governor Abbott Announces Senior Staff Departure
"Governor Greg Abbott today announced the departure of his Special Advisor, David Whitley, from the Office of the Governor after nearly 15 years of state service. As part of his most recent duties, Whitley helped oversee the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, the Texas Enterprise Fund, Events Trust Fund, Governor’s University Research Initiative, Travel Texas, Texas Music Office, Texas Film Commission, Texas Workforce Investment Council, Texas Military Preparedness Commission and the State of Texas Mexico Office. He has also served as a key liaison for state agencies.”
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-senior-staff-departure
Secretary Whitley Convenes The 86th Texas Legislature
AUSTIN – Texas Secretary of State David Whitley convened the 86th Legislative Session today, presiding over the opening ceremonies for the Texas House of Representatives and conducting the election of Texas' new Speaker of the House, Representative Dennis Bonnen. Secretary Whitley also delivered opening remarks to legislators, imploring them to fully embrace their responsibilities as public servants in the State of Texas.
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2019/010819.shtml
Secretary Whitley Meets With Public Officials, Community Leaders During Rio Grande Valley Engagement Tour
EDINBURG – Texas Secretary of State David Whitley visited the Rio Grande Valley this week to meet with public officials, economic development organizations, and community leaders in order to strengthen relationships with local stakeholders throughout the border region. In his capacity as the Governor's liaison for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs, Secretary Whitley visited with key entities impacted by cross-border trade between Texas and Mexico and received briefings on a wide range of issues critical to the border region, including transportation, infrastructure, and workforce development. Additionally, in his capacity as Chief Election Officer, Secretary Whitley met with local Election Administrators and education leaders to discuss strategies for increasing voter registration and voter turnout in the Rio Grande Valley, particularly among the youngest generation of Texas voters.”
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2019/022219.shtml
Secretary Whitley Convenes First Border Trade Advisory Committee Meeting Of 2019
"AUSTIN, TX – Texas Secretary of State David Whitley today convened the first Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) meeting of 2019, bringing together stakeholders from throughout the Texas-Mexico border region to advance initiatives to address challenges related to international trade with Mexico. In his capacity as Texas' Border Commerce Coordinator, Secretary Whitley works closely in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Committee members to discuss strategies for better facilitating cross-border trade, including improving transportation infrastructure, cargo processing, and coordination with public officials in Mexico.”
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2019/052119.shtml
"I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR FRIEND, DAVID WHITLEY, WHO IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. ... DAVID ... WAS APPOINTED TO SERVE AS THE TEXAS BORDER COMMERCE COORDINATOR AND CHAIR OF THE BORDER TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH ADVISES THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ADVANCE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT FACILITATE CROSS BORDER TRADE BETWEEN TEXAS AND MEXICO, WHICH IS A HUGE AREA OF IMPORTANCE NOT ONLY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUT ALSO AS WE WORK TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION ON MANY OF OUR ROADWAYS LIKE I-35 THROUGH LAREDO AND DOWN IN THE VALLEY. YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME HELPING US ON THAT. SO DAVID, TODAY, WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF TEXAS."
— BRUCE BUGG, CHAIRMAN, TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION