The Administration and Finance Department is responsible for the Council's management, administration, and supportive services such as personnel management/policies, budgeting, indirect cost plan, procurement, accounting, auditing, financial reporting/policies, accounting and procurement policies and procedures, reproduction, operating mail room, maintenance of building facilities, public information and liaison with board membership.

The employees responsible for the Council's administrative and financial management functions are the Executive Director and the Director of Finance.

Executive Director - Emily Martinez, MPA

Image of Executive Director

Emily Martinez is the Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG), a political subdivision of the State of Texas and a federally chartered Economic Development District representing the 11-county Coastal Bend Region. Emily has more than 20 years as a leader in the Coastal Bend serving various agencies in local government and business development.

Emily joined the CBCOG in 2018 to assist the region in post Hurricane Harvey recovery before becoming the Director of Regional Economic Development in 2020. She led the region in identifying and securing over $15 million in community investment from State and Federal agencies. Emily co-founded the Regional Resilience Partnership and leveraged stakeholders through the creation of partnerships with Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Harte Research Institute, Nueces River Authority, Coastal Bend College and Education to Employment Partners to name a few.

Emily began her career with the City of Corpus Christi in 2001 before joining the Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporation in 2010 where she led Business Retention and Expansion as Vice President.

Emily has a Bachelor of Political Science and Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. 

Her goal is to leverage our unique position as a non-partisan, non-political body as a lynchpin to build synergies between communities to apply for funding, to centralize programs, and increase services for the people of the Coastal Bend.

Emily is dedicated to public service and is actively engaged in her community through multiple boards including the Purple Door, Art Museum of South Texas and Beautify Corpus Christi Association. She also serves on the statewide Texas Travel Alliance and has been a member of Texas Lyceum since 2013.

Emily resides in Corpus Christi with her husband Albert and their three children.

 

Director of Finance - Chris Paul, MAcc

Chris Paul, MAcc -Director of Finance

Christopher serves as the Director of Finance for the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, bringing over 15 years of experience in accounting, financial management, and organizational leadership. He provides strategic financial direction, leads the Finance Department, and oversees budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. His leadership focuses on fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, and strengthening financial practices to support the organization's mission and long-term sustainability.

Christopher holds a Master of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, as well as an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Del Mar College. He also holds a Financial Management credential from the London School of Business Administration and maintains active involvement in professional organizations, including the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT), Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA), Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).