The Fort Worth EDP is a privately funded nonprofit whose mission is to promote the Fort Worth region to fuel economic growth and development. We bring together business and civic-minded leaders committed to making Fort Worth the most vibrant and sustainable city on the rise in the United States.
President & CEO
Robert Allen is President & CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (Fort Worth EDP). Robert joined the Fort Worth EDP at the organization’s formation in 2023. In his role, he is responsible for board governance, organizational strategy, and financial and operational efforts for the Fort Worth EDP.
Prior to being named President & CEO, Robert served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and most recently served as President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC).
During his six years leading TxEDC, Robert spearheaded initiatives that advanced the organization’s mission to market Texas as the best state for business, including major international business missions to Japan, India, and Europe. His organization’s efforts have helped catapult Texas to a record-breaking number of Governor’s Cups as awarded by Site Selection Magazine.
A fifth-generation Texan, Robert earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Rachel, have two children.
Executive Vice President
Jessica Heer is the Executive Vice President of Economic Development
at the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (Fort Worth EDP), overseeing business attraction strategy, marketing, and day-to-day operations of the organization.
Prior to joining the Fort Worth EDP, Jessica served as Senior Vice President of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC), where she was responsible for creating and accelerating the marketing and brand strategy for the DRC, affiliated brands, and its strategic priorities.
During her tenure at the DRC, Jessica led the creation and launch of several marketing campaigns, including the Say Yes to Dallas talent attraction campaign, Business Works Better Here corporate recruitment campaign and the Why Dallas campaign. Her organization’s efforts led to many successful corporate recruitment projects, including AT&T, Jacobs, Kubota Tractor Corporation, and Toyota Motor North America.
Jessica earned a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University and her master’s degree from the University of North Texas. She and her husband, Michael, have two children.
Vice President
Sara Thurber is Vice President for the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (Fort Worth EDP), overseeing business attraction and project management.
Previously, Sara served as a Retail Strategist and Broker for The Retail Strategy, an Austin-based commercial real estate firm, where she focused on new business development and national client account management. Prior to The Retail Strategy, she was Director of CRE Marketing and Business Development with United Bankshares, Inc. in Washington, D.C.
In addition to her background in Real Estate, she has extensive experience in marketing and business development during her time with United Bankshares, Inc. in Washington, D.C.
Sara earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas Christian University. She and her husband, James, have one child.
President
Hillwood
Chair
Managing Partner
Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP
Vice Chair
President & CEO
GM Financial
Treasurer
Chairman & CEO
Higginbotham
Secretary
President & CEO
Fort Worth Economic
Development Partnership
Managing Director, CEO
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
in the Central U.S.
President & CEO
Bell
CEO
Alcon Laboratories
President & CEO
BNSF Railway
CEO
Goff Capital
CEO
American Airlines
Executive Vice President
Lockheed Martin
City of Fort Worth
Ex-Officio
President & CEO
Fort Worth Chamber
Ex-Officio
The Fort Worth EDP brings together business and civic-minded leaders committed to making Fort Worth the most vibrant and sustainable city on the rise in the United States.
Acme Brick Company
Amon G. Carter Foundation
AT&T
Atmos Energy
Baird, Hampton & Brown Inc.
Bank of America
Bank of Texas
Ben E. Keith Foods
Burnett Plaza
Cantey Hanger LLP
Capital One Bank
Cassco Development Co.
Chickasaw Nation
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
EECU
Elbit Systems of America
Fidelity Investments
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
Goldenrod Companies
Jetta Operating Company, Inc.
Justin Brands
Majestic Realty Co.
Mercantile Center
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Paycom
Pegasus Resources
PNC Bank
Simmons Bank
Southwest Airlines
Tarrant County College
Tarrant Regional Water District
TDIndustries, Inc.
Texas Jet, Inc.
The Miles Foundation
The University of Texas at Arlington
Trademark Property Company
Trinity Metro
Wells Fargo
Williams Trew
