Aaron Demerson

Aaron Demerson is a seasoned Texas economic development leader and angel investor currently serving as the President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC), a privately funded 501(c)(3) organization that strategically markets Texas as a premier business destination both domestically and internationally. He was appointed to this role by the TxEDC Board of Directors in October 2023 and began on November 6, 2023. Prior to TxEDC, Demerson served as the Commissioner Representing Employers at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) from August 2019 through November 2023, where he advocated on behalf of over 660,000 Texas employers and more than 3 million small businesses across the state.

Before his tenure at TWC, Demerson held multiple senior positions in Texas state government. He served as a Senior Advisor to Governor Rick Perry and as Executive Director of the Economic Development & Tourism Division in the Governor's Office, leading efforts to market Texas as a destination for both business and travel. He also served as Director of the Office of Employer Initiatives at TWC, as well as Director of Business Development, Director of Administration, and Finance Division Manager at the former Texas Economic Development Agency. His career reflects deep institutional knowledge of the levers that drive economic growth in Texas, from workforce training to business recruitment and incentive programs.

Demerson holds a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a General Banking Diploma from the American Institute of Banking. He is a graduate of Leadership Austin and completed the Army War College Commandants National Security Program for civilians, as well as the National Training Center civilian program. As an angel investor, Demerson brings a practitioner's understanding of the Texas business ecosystem, regulatory landscape, and workforce pipeline to early-stage companies seeking to grow within the state.

While specific details of Demerson's personal angel investment portfolio are not publicly disclosed, his professional focus and public statements strongly indicate investment interests aligned with the sectors he champions for Texas economic growth. He emphasizes what he calls Texas's "secret sauce" -- the partnership between economic development, workforce training, and education -- and has publicly prioritized the following sectors:

Demerson's investment philosophy is rooted in the pro-business Texas ecosystem: no corporate income tax, robust infrastructure, a large skilled workforce, and strong university research partnerships that drive venture capital investment.

• Technology and AI: Highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and technology in Texas's $2.6 trillion economy at the MXLAN International Economic Summit (May 2025).
• Biotech and Life Sciences: Identified as a priority growth sector for Texas under his TxEDC leadership.
• Aerospace and Space: Supported the Texas Space Commission (established 2024), which awarded $47.7 million in aerospace grants to companies including SpaceX and Blue Origin.
• Energy and Energy Transition: Advocates for grid modernization, energy storage, and diversified power generation. Texas remains the nation's top exporting state with deep energy sector roots.
• Onshoring and Reshoring: Projects continued growth in companies relocating operations to Texas due to supply chain resilience concerns, geopolitical shifts, and available state incentives.

Specific angel investments made by Aaron Demerson are not publicly documented. His investment activity is categorized as seed-stage angel investing. Given his deep ties to the Texas economic development ecosystem and his presence on platforms such as Foundersuite and Crunchbase, he is positioned as an early-stage investor with a focus on companies aligned with Texas growth sectors.