Copperas Cove EDC holds meet and greet for new director

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

A handful of community members attended a meet and greet on Thursday afternoon for Fred Welch, the new executive director of the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation. 

The gathering was held at the CCISD Administration board room, where CCEDC board members, its assistant director, as well as several other community leaders and city representatives congratulated Welch and had the opportunity to visit with him.

J.C. Stubbs, chair of the CCEDC board, said a few words about Welch, welcoming him to the community. 

“I have to say, as we went through the process, we were really impressed with all of his great work, and we are really excited to see what he will do here in Copperas Cove, and hope everyone else has a chance to meet with him and be equally as impressed,” Stubbs said. 

Welch likewise said a few words on coming to Copperas Cove. 

“I’m really honored to be here, and I see a lot of the partners here in the room. This is a team sport and involves everybody, from individual business owners, to the school district, all of the workforce providers, and what we can do to bring this community, I think, to the next level, and set a trend, and set a path,” Welch told those assembled. “That’s kind of where Ryan (Haverlah) and I have our minds set on that as well, to really step things out. It’s not hard, but it’s a constant effort. I’m not going to be the only cheerleader, because really the victories for the things we bring are going to be a reflection of the work that I pull out of you folks, as we go forward here. I’m really excited; it’ll be two weeks tomorrow. 

“We’re going to be sharpening the quiver there and getting to bring hopefully, not only new, but expanded business enterprises here to the city. Thank you for coming out and thank you for your confidence.”

Welch started in the position on March 1, after being selected in a nationwide search conducted by Johnson & Associates, a government executive search firm based in Austin. At the end of January after meeting with Welch and three other candidates, the EDC announced that it had selected Welch as its new executive director. 

Welch has been involved in economic development for approximately 30 years in Texas. Most recently he has served The Greater Houston Partnership as Senior Director for Economic Development. Previous positions include The Economic Alliance for the Houston Port Region, and The Greater Conroe Economic Development Council. 

From 2010 until 2014, Welch served the Houston region as Vice President for regional economic development with The Greater Houston Partnership (GHP). In addition to his time with GHP, he previously served as Vice President, Marketing and Recruitment for the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and in Type A and B sales tax cities of Pearland and LaMarque. 

He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) through the National Development Council. In 2017 he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Texas Economic Development Council.