Gov. Greg Abbott launched the Texas Jobs Council during an inaugural meeting on Monday at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin.
The new advisory board aims to bolster workforce development and prepare Texans for high-demand jobs such as electricians, pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, and truck drivers.
“Texas right now is the hottest state in America for business and labor opportunities,” said Governor Abbott, per the March 16 press release. “For us to maintain our dominance, business and labor are working together to meet the high demand for high skilled labor, positions like electricians, pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, truckers, and a whole lot more. Today, we galvanized that partnership with the launch of the Texas Jobs Council. We are unified on a mission that benefits all Texans. A mission that will keep Texas number one for business, keep Texas number one for jobs, and keep Texas number one for workforce training, ensuring great careers for generations of Texans.”
Abbott was joined by Plumbers Local Union 68 Business Manager Wayne Lord, Texas Association of Business Interim President Megan Mauro, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, and other business and labor leaders.
The governor appointed these members to the council:
- Co-Chair Brent Taylor, vice president South Teamsters Local 745 and Teamsters Joint Council 80
- Co-Chair Megan Mauro, interim president Texas Association of Business
- Tony Bennett, president Texas Association of Manufacturers
- Todd Staples, president Texas Oil and Gas Association
- Hector Rivero, president Texas Chemistry Council
- Scott Norman, president Texas Association of Builders
- Robert Mele, president Teamsters Local 988
- Robert Wayne Lord, business manager Plumbers Local Union 68
- Alan Robb, assistant general International Longshoremen’s Association
- Lacy Wolf, Local 22 president Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 22
- Mark Maher Jr., business manager International Union of Operating Engineers 450
- Bryan Edwards, business manager Pipefitters Local Union 211
The council will pursue executive actions to cut regulatory burdens on workforce development and deliver policy and legislative recommendations to the governor and Legislature before the 90th Legislative Session.
Members plan to issue a final report in November outlining executive actions and legislative proposals to enhance Texas’ workforce system, according to the press release.
