BIOGRAPHY
As a 30+ year veteran in economic development, Charisse has worked in every aspect of the industry. As SVP Economic Development with Opportunity Austin (OA), she leads the team dedicated to the recruitment of new corporate citizens and the expansion of the local industry base for the Greater Austin, Texas Region.
Since 2004, OA has contributed to the overall prosperity of the Austin Region that has benefited from over 830 corporate relocations, 1,500 expansion announcements, and 600,000 new direct/indirect jobs created. Charisse was previously CEO of the Allen (TX) EDC which owned and developed business parks and facilitated new development projects including industrial, office, urban retail mixed-use and specialty facilities. She serves on the Capital Area Economic Development District Board and the Central Texas Foreign Trade Zone Board and is a member of TEDC, IEDC and IAMC. Charisse enjoys time with her husband Robert, four stepsons and nine grandchildren.