Governor Abbott Appoints Harris and Cruz to Broadband Development Office Board of Advisors

The following press release was published by Governor Abbott's Office on December 9, 2021.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jennifer Harris and Adriana Cruz to the Broadband Office Board of Advisors for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. The council was created by the 87th Legislature in 2021 and is situated within the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts. The Board of Advisors provides oversight for the Broadband Office.

Jennifer Harris of Austin serves as the state program director for Connected Nation Texas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. She provides oversight of the collection and analysis of broadband data and the development of broadband advancement strategies addressing access, adoption, and use among residents, businesses, and institutions. Previously, she held a variety of positions in the public sector, including roles with multiple members of the Texas Legislature. In January 2020, Governor Abbott appointed her to the Governor’s Broadband Development Council. Harris received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Service and Administration from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.

Adriana Cruz of Austin is the Executive Director of the Economic Development and Tourism (EDT) office within the Office of the Governor. She has more than 20 years of leadership experience in economic development, marketing, and international business. Prior to assuming this role, she served as President of the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP). Before her work with GSMP, Cruz was the Vice President of Global Corporate Recruitment for the Austin Chamber of Commerce where she was project lead in high profile corporate relocations and expansions. She is a board member of the Texas Economic Development Council and also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs, the Freight Advisory Committee, the Centers for International Business Education and Research, and the Texas America 250 Commission. Cruz received a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin.