Staff

Stephanie Smith serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the Walker County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC), where she leads efforts to strengthen the local economy, attract new investment, and support the growth of existing businesses across Huntsville and Walker County. With a strong background in
economic development, she has a proven track record of building partnerships between public and private stakeholders to drive sustainable growth.

At WCEDC, Stephanie works to promote Walker County’s strategic location and assets to prospective employers, while also advancing workforce development in collaboration with Sam Houston State University and local industries. She is deeply engaged in enhancing infrastructure and fostering business-friendly policies that encourage new investment, as well as strengthening the overall quality of life to ensure long-term opportunities for residents. Passionate about community building, Stephanie is dedicated to ensuring Walker County thrives as a place where businesses succeed and families flourish.

Prior to joining WCEDC, Stephanie served as Chief Economic Development Officer for the Lake Houston area and spent 31 years at CenterPoint Energy, where she earned both her SR/WA and CEcD certifications. She is a graduate of the University of Houston, where she received her BA in Communications, and she continues to maintain her Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential. Stephanie is an active member of both the Texas Economic Development Council and the International Economic Development Council and currently serves as Chair of the Houston Regional Economic Development Alliance’s (HREDA) steering committee.