Corpus Christi, Texas - Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG) announced Friday that Emily G. Martinez will take over as Executive Director effective July 1. Martinez previously served as Director of Regional Economic Development for the organization. She replaces John P. Buckner, who served as Executive Director since 1977. Buckner retired in 2023.

Bee County Judge George (Trace) Morrill III announced the decision at the monthly board of directors meeting. After the meeting, Judge Morrill said, “We had several very strong candidates, but Emily stood out based on her robust experience in economic development as well as her exemplary performance in her role as Director of Regional Economic Development. We felt that she is the candidate to take the CBCOG to the next level.”

Martinez has more than 20 years of Economic Development experience in the Coastal Bend working with local governments, State and Federal agencies. Since joining CBCOG in 2018, Martinez and her team have secured more than $15 million in community investment through state and federal grants.

“When I came to CBCOG six years ago, I came to help the region recover from Harvey,” Martinez told the Board of Directors on Friday. “Since then, I’ve seen the impact that this organization can have – particularly on smaller, under-resourced communities. I look forward to growing the COG as a catalyst to prosperity for those communities and for the region,” said Martinez.

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