San Angelo's New Economic Development Director is from Brownwood

SAN ANGELO, TX -- (COSA Press Release) Guy D. Andrews, executive director of the Brownwood Municipal Development District, has been hired to lead the City of San Angelo’s job-creation efforts as its economic development director.

Andrews was selected from among 51 applicants. He assumes his new duties June 4.

The City’s Economic Development Department serves as the staff of the City of San Angelo Development Corp. The COSADC board administers the half-cent sales tax for economic development. That involves using funds generated by the tax in incentive packages to diversify the economy, expand the property tax base, foster business growth and increase job opportunities.

Andrews moves up into the role for the City of San Angelo, with a population of 100,000, from a similar role in a smaller City of Brownwood east of here, population of about 20,000.

The Economic Development Department does so in coordination with partners such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center, Workforce Solutions of the Concho Valley, Downtown San Angelo, Inc., Angelo State University, Howard College and the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. The Economic Development Department’s efforts include the Business Retention & Expansion Program and development of the Industrial Park.

“San Angelo is brimming with exciting economic development possibilities,” Andrews said. “From that aspect alone, it’s a dream job. It’s also a place where I can make the greatest use of my skills and experience, and my love and understanding of West Texas. I’m looking forward to contributing to San Angelo’s growth.”

He has led Brownwood’s economic development efforts since 2015. During that span, he improved marketing for Brownwood’s sports complex, recruited an Abilene-based hospital to open a surgical center and medical plaza, created a building improvement incentive program, facilitated a $7 million expansion of an asphalt plant, and recruited an oilfield manufacturer to replace a failing agriculture products manufacturer.

Andrews has served as the economic development director for the Odessa Chamber of Commerce from 2011-14. In that job, he partnered with the Odessa Development Corp. and the Odessa Industrial Development Corp. to provide incentives and to make land available to prospective employers.

After a 25-year career with AT&T, including as the area manager for external affairs for Midland and Odessa, Andrews began his municipal career with the City of Conroe in 2005. He served five years as the community development director, overseeing Conroe’s planning, engineering, building permits and inspections, traffic control and GIS functions, along with its public works capital projects.

“Guy offers us an impressive blend of private-sector experience and public-sector acumen,” Assistant City Manager Michael Dane said. “Businesses and developers can appreciate that he has been in their shoes and faced their challenges, and as a public servant he has worked to streamline many of the development processes they navigate. Plus, he has a proven track record of being a team player.”

Prior to joining the City of Brownwood, Andrews was the executive director of communications and organizational development with Saulsbury Industries in Odessa.Saulsbury is a provider of engineering, construction, fabrication and other services to heavy industrial businesses such as oil and gas, and manufacturing.

Andrews earned a business degree from Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude, and served three years in the U.S. Army. His community involvement includes volunteer service with the Odessa and Midland chambers of commerce, foundations for the Ector County ISD and Odessa College, Main Street Odessa, and Rotary clubs in three communities.