Drussell departing Copperas Cove for Victoria

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation’s staff member with the longest tenure on the job will be leaving Copperas Cove.

Diane Drussell, the assistant director of the Copperas Cove EDC, has been announced as the operations manager of the Victoria Economic Development Corporation and her first day on the job will be Aug. 21.

Drussell has been with the Copperas Cove EDC for 10 years and has filled a number of roles, starting at the EDC as the Director of Business Retention. While at the CCEDC, she administrated its entrepreneur center for several years and hosted multiple workshops for small businesses. She has also served as interim executive director.

Drussell will join the staff at the VEDC, where she will once again be working for Jonas Titas, who left his position at the Copperas Cove EDC for Victoria in July 2021.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Diane in the past and am excited to have her join the VEDC team. I know full well the value she will add to our organization. She's a perfect fit,'' Titas said, Executive Director of the VEDC.

“Diane brings a great amount of valuable expertise and skills to our growing organization. We are lucky to have her join our team. Diane will make VEOC a more effective organization and help elevate the services we provide to our stakeholders,” Don Whitaker, VEOC Chairman of the Board & CFO, Keating Auto Group, said in a press release.

JC Stubbs, Chairman for the EDC Board, shared his thoughts in a CCEDC press release.

“There are very few individuals who know the true strengths and weaknesses of our community. She has always been fair and honest and kept the community’s needs first. Diane is one of those rare individuals with whom you can develop a lifelong relationship. We will miss her but wish her well as she moves forward in her career.”

“Diane has excelled in the development of a cohesive work team with our organization. She has demonstrated compassion and empathy in working with the development of our staff and will be missed greatly,” said Fred Welch, Executive Director for the Copperas Cove EDC.

A farewell reception for Drussell is being planned for Friday, August 18.