Media Resources
Biographies
Project Overview
Project Overview
Van Horn, Texas’ visionary leadership has initiated a rural economic development project that will serve as a model for Texas, the U.S. and beyond. Rural places in the US and around the globe are struggling economically. As a result, uncounted communities are seeking innovative ways to diversify their economies and to develop collaborative relationships within regions to offset pressures from declining or unstable agricultural markets, high fuel costs and globalization pressures.
The leadership of Van Horn, Texas has embraced the challenge and leveraged an unprecedented set of opportunities for their community and the region. The project will strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for the people of Van Horn while vigilantly preserving the inherent values of community that distinguish this small town, the crossroads of the Texas Mountain trail. We will achieve this by:
- maintaining an astute, opportunistic stance
- employing sound, integrative and sustainable tourism strategies
- forming micro-enterprises and technology startups
- creating and fomenting Van Horn's entrepreneurial culture
- upholding the small community values cherished by its citizens
- leveraging technology for the benefit of its citizens and guests
- inspiring leadership and innovation among its citizens
A Revolutionary Approach
The strategy being used for the Van Horn project is based on a comprehensive methodology called the AdventGX Strategy Deployment (ASD). ASD includes techniques and processes that have been in use at NASA for over 30 years. AdventGX has customized this approach to help revolutionize rural economies. In simple terms, ASD is a process that transforms the needs and desires of the customer/user into a set of systematic activities that facilitate the administration of complex project management scenarios at all levels. This process also provides a set of “tools” that allows the project participants to easily understand and track progress.
Van Horn Economic Development Initiative
Below are the Phase I objectives of the Van Horn Economic Development Initiative. The project has entered Phase II which focuses on implementation in this three year collaborative effort.
- To develop a comprehensive and sustainable economic development strategy for the City of Van Horn, Texas.
- Identify Van Horn’s ‘Best Developmental Opportunities’ given its unique assets coupled with ongoing efforts involving its Main Street revitalization and the tourism development initiatives (Texas Mountain Trail, THC, Blue Origin, etc.) taking place in West Texas.
- Map community needs and expectations by conducting strategy and policy deployment workshops. Identify areas of consensus to support the development of a unified community development vision statement.
- Leverage Van Horn’s rich history and implement a Community Identity Creation and Preservation plan as part of a robust Community Brand Development Strategy.
- Integrate an efficient Marketing strategy taking advantage of the state and private network of contacts as well as the use of emerging Internet enabled marketing tools
- Identify federal, state, and NGO (Non Governmental Organizations) funding sources - consider commercial sponsorships and public / private ventures
Extending to West Texas Region
The goal of this project is to extend this approach to the far West Texas region. Currently, the strategy touches on the following areas of economic development:
- value added agriculture
- organic foods
- dairy
- energy (solar, wind, hydrogen)
- rural entrepreneurship
- new technologies
- tourism
Of these opportunities, the leadership and citizens of Van Horn have identified tourism as the #1 economic development opportunities. This region’s tourism is based on natural resources, history, geology and now space (Blue Origin).
A New Economic Development Model for Rural America
The Van Horn Economic Development Project is being developed as a model to be duplicated across Texas in rural areas across America. The model is built upon sound strategy and unprecedented collaboration among public and private partners. The Community of Van Horn and AdventGX invite interested parties that wish to be a part of the revitalization of rural America to contact us for additional information.
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Biographies
Project Team
Jeff McCoy :: Project Principal, Project Board Member
Jeff McCoy has extensive experience in public service through his leadership positions on several Van Horn and community development boards. Mr. McCoy has served the Executive Director for the Van Horn Economic Development Board for three years, in addition to being President of both, the Texas Mountain Trail Board of Directors and Van Horn Community Center Association. Mr. McCoy also served as Vice President to the Big Bend and Texas Mountain Association.
Rebecca Brewster :: Project Board Member
Rebecca Brewster has 30 years of public administration and management experience, having served as the Town of Van Horn’s Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. Brewster began her career in public service after receiving her Masters degree in public administration. She has administered multiple community development grants, and is a board member of The Boys and Girls Club or Rural West Texas, Texas Municipal Gas, Main Street Van Horn, Frontera Foundation, Van Horn Economic Development Corporation, High Desert Rural Family Health Consortium, Emergency Management Steering Committee, and Rainbow Express Depot Child Care Centers, Inc.
Larry Simpson :: Project Board Member
Mr. Simpson is a longtime business owner in Van Horn, Texas. After graduating from Texas Western College in 1965, Mr. Simpson served in the military until 1973 as second lieutenant and company commander. After his service in the military, Mr. Simpson worked as a system auditor and branch manager for Holiday Inn. Currently, Mr. Simpson owns both Van Horn Office Supply and the Van horn Advocate newspaper, which he has owned since 1975. Mr. Simpson also runs West Texas Aviation, a fixed base operation at the Van Horn airport, which he purchased in 2000.
Joan Tatge :: Project Manager, Project Board Member
A proven marketing communications strategist for non profit organizations, and a veteran project manager, Joan Tatge will serve as project manager for Project 7. Joan has broad experience in the communications field, including non-profit marketing communications, higher education media initiatives. She has served as project manager and business developer for large federal technology research programs and has provided consulting services particularly focusing on economic and tourism development for rural communities. Joan was Director of Communications for The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, where she was also editor of Texas Aggie magazine before joining the AdventGX team. At AdventGX Joan is the Director of Communications and has led many projects to successful completion as the project manager.
Jose Quintana :: Project Executive
Mr. Quintana has a wealth of startup experience. As a lifelong entrepreneur, he has started several successful companies and has acted as consultant to many of the world's top corporations including Nokia, Sprint, Qualcomm, Frito-Lay, Schering-Plough, Disney, Lockheed, Sun Microsystems, Verizon and Novartis International. He is an active board member of Global Knowledge Group, PowerKids, The Texas Lyceum Association, Westcar Consulting Group, and The Research Valley Technology Alliance (RVTA). Mr. Quintana is currently the president of AdventGX.
Dr. Andrew Skadberg :: Project Executive
Dr. Skadberg’s professional career and experiences have involved many roles and responsibilities in the tourism industry. Over time, Dr. Skadberg has gained recognition as an expert on rural tourism development in general and in particular the development of experienced based, sustainable tourism opportunities. Before joining AdventGX full-time he was a professor and Extension Specialist with the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. He still assists the Dept. with Extension programs showcasing tourism as a means for rural economic diversification and for enhancing people's quality of life.
Lindsey Hafner :: Project Assistant
Lindsey Hafner is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in Recreation Parks and Tourism Sciences. Throughout her student career, Lindsey developed and delivered a series of campus tours, hosting hundreds of prospective students and guests of Texas A&M University, and shared the rich history and tradition of the place. Lindsey has traveled significantly and worked abroad. She serves as communications assistant with AdventGX, coordinating special events, special projects and communications outreach.
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