Growth Opportunities in the Greater Brazos Valley
At the upcoming SEMI Texas Spring Breakfast Forum on May 15, 2025, Susan Davenport, President & CEO of the Greater Brazos Partnership, will discuss strategies for cultivating the semiconductor industry from an economic development perspective. Drawing on her extensive experience in regional economic development, she will explore how economic development organizations can effectively support and grow this critical sector.
Ms. Davenport's insights will be informed by her leadership in the Greater Brazos Region, where she has prioritized collaboration with regional initiatives and stakeholders to attract high-impact advanced manufacturing industries, including semiconductors. Her focus encompasses developing strategic initiatives, fostering partnerships, recruiting and developing talent, and building a resilient ecosystem to support sustained economic growth.
BIOGRAPHY
Susan Davenport is the President & CEO of the Greater Brazos Partnership, where she leads economic development for the 5-county Greater Brazos Region, the epicenter of the Texas Triangle. Since July 2023, Ms. Davenport has focused on attracting high-impact industries such as defense, semiconductors, and renewable energy. She emphasizes strategic initiatives, partnerships, workforce development, and fostering a resilient, innovative economic ecosystem.
In Florida, as President & CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, she led efforts to retain and expand hundreds of employers, securing nearly $100 million in grants to drive innovation and commercialization. In Austin, Texas, during her 13 years with the Greater Austin Chamber’s economic development team, she was instrumental in generating 174,000 new jobs and increasing regional payrolls by $8.7 billion, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s economic growth.
Ms. Davenport holds a Master of Public Affairs from UT Austin, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.