Texas Guv names Indian American to Economic Development Corporation's BOD

Texas Governor has named Arun Agarwal, Indian American philanthropist and CEO of Dallas-based home textile company NEXTT, to the Texas Economic Development Corporation's (TxEDC's) Board of Directors

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has named Arun Agarwal, Indian American philanthropist and CEO of Dallas-based home textile company NEXTT, to the Texas Economic Development Corporation's (TxEDC's) Board of Directors.

Governor Abbott tapped Agarwal, along with eight other Texas executives, to market the state nationally and globally to relocate a business and create new jobs.

"Their efforts will be instrumental in amplifying the success of TxEDC in promoting Texas as a premier business destination," Abbott said in a statement.

Apart from textiles, Agarwal also has business interests in cotton trading and real estate. Additionally, he is a board member of the U.S. India Friendship Council, Executive Board UT Dallas, Texas Tech Innovation HUB at Research Park, Big Brothers Big Sisters International and MD Anderson Board of Visitors.

He is also a volunteer for Chetna, a non-profit organization to help victims of domestic violence, and the Living Dreams Foundation.

Agarwal received a Master's in Business Administration from IMT - Ghaziabad, a Master's in Computer Information Systems from Southern New Hampshire University, and an Advanced Certificate in International Business from Harvard University.

"This is a tremendous honor for the Indian-American diaspora in the United States," said Agarwal, who also serves as the chair of the India American CEO Council and president of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Board.

"The Governor realizes the tremendous power our community holds in this country as the hardest-working, highest-earning ethnic minority, and, together, we hope to make Texas the most successful hub for small and large business owners globally," he said.

An independently funded and operated nonprofit, the TxEDC works alongside the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office in the Office of the Governor to market the state across the U.S. and abroad as a place to relocate a business and create new jobs.