JD Salinas III – Project Director

JD Salinas is a lifelong public servant, having provided leadership at the local level as County Judge of Hidalgo County, Texas, and at the federal level as Regional Administrator for the GSA’s Greater Southwest Region. He has an exceptional understanding of local, state and federal issues that impact both local governments and businesses and is known for reinventing government and leveraging innovations through keen analysis. Mr. Salinas builds successful relationships among key stakeholders and partners in order to encourage economic growth and community prosperity.

 Jose Quintana – Subject Matter Expert, Business Development

Jose is the President of Advent GX and the visionary behind the Innovation Underground. A serial entrepreneur and consultant to clients from Disney to Novartis and including the States of California and Texas, Jose brings broad expertise, insight and genuine enthusiasm to every new project or idea.

Joan Quintana – Project Executive, Communications

Joan Quintana specializes in providing support to small and medium sized communities and businesses seeking to grow and contribute to a strong economy. Joan has provided marketing, communications and strategy development expertise to help form sound economic strategies for communities throughout Texas. As the Director of Economic Innovation for the Texas Engineering Extension Service, Joan shaped the economic development and market intelligence services programs for communities and businesses throughout the State of Texas before returning to work with Advent GX in the Fall of 2011.

Cassidy Barton – Research Associate

Jed Elrod – Subject Matter Expert, Nature Tourism

Doug Harmon – Subject Matter Expert, Nature Tourism