Leadership from the Pearland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the election of officers to its 2025 Board of Directors. At its December 19 board meeting, the Board elected Michi Bruns Clay as Chair, Dena Hanks as Vice Chair, and JW Washington as Secretary. The elected officers will assume their duties at the January 16 board meeting.
Michi Bruns Clay joined the PEDC Board in 2022. Michi is the Founder of Encompass Healthcare Management, Inc. Michi is one of the founding members of the Greater Pearland Area Chapter of The Links Inc., where she serves as the Services to Youth Chair. Michi also serves on the Pearland Prosperity Implementation Committee, is a Brazoria County-focused STEMulation Academy facilitator, and contributes to Keep Pearland Beautiful. She has previously served with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce.
Dena Hanks joined the PEDC Board in 2023. She is an interior designer and owner of Hanks Design Group. She is a founding board member of the Pearland Leadership Foundation and is the current chair. Other board services include the Pearland ISD Education Foundation, where she previously served as president.
She also served on multiple Pearland Chamber of Commerce committees and other previous services, including the Pearland Library Advisory Board, Brazoria County Library and Foundation Board, Adult Education Center, Pearland ISD Long Range Planning Committee, and Women in Leadership in Pearland.
JW Washington joined the PEDC board in 2023. He is currently Vice President of Sales, America for AriensCo. He serves on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Houston Metro Go Texan Committee, the National Association of Landscape Professionals National Collegiate Landscape Competition, Pearland High Theater Booster Club, and Robert Turner High School PTA.
JW has also volunteered his time on the Houston Community College Advisory Board: Agricultural & Horticultural Academic Programs, as a coach and mentor for Pearland ISD junior high & middle school robotics teams, certified United States Youth Soccer (USYS) trainer for area youth soccer clubs, and Game Day Soccer League team manager.
Established in 1995 by the voters of the City of Pearland, PEDC is the lead economic development group for this thriving, business-friendly community. PEDC focuses on:
- Business attraction, retention, and marketing
- Transportation, mobility, and infrastructure
- Redevelopment of Lower Kirby, State Highway 35 corridor, and Old Town.
- Small business and entrepreneurship assistance
- Workforce development
PEDC is a nonprofit Type B Corporation under the Texas Development Corporation Act and is primarily funded by a half-cent sales tax in the City of Pearland. The seven-member Board of Directors is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Pearland City Council for two-year terms.
For more information on PEDC, visit www.pearlandedc.com.
