The City of Brownsville, and its leadership, is proud to announce the selection of Nathan A. Burkhart as the new Director of the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Office of Space Commerce. Mr. Burkhart brings more than a decade of experience in economic development, marketing, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and public policy, positioning him to lead Brownsville’s rapidly expanding tourism and commercial space sectors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nathan back to the City of Brownsville, working with a strong and talented team,” said Helen Ramirez, ICMA-CM, AICP, Brownsville City Manager. “His extensive experience aligns perfectly with our leadership’s vision for the Convention & Visitors Bureau and Office of Space Commerce. Nathan’s proven ability to build programs, strengthen partnerships, and elevate community initiatives makes him an exceptional fit for this role. We are excited to see the meaningful contributions he will bring to our City as he leads these rapidly growing sectors into the future.”
Mr. Burkhart most recently served as the Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC). There he oversaw transformative initiatives that strengthened the region’s startup and innovation ecosystem. His leadership guided the expansion of the StartUp Texas Seed Fund and Accelerator Program, which became cornerstone resources for early-stage companies across Texas. He also managed operations and strategic partnerships at the eBridge Center, the largest entrepreneurship center of its kind south of San Antonio.
During his tenure at BCIC, Mr. Burkhart led major economic support programs, including pandemic-response initiatives that delivered more than $440,000 in grants to local businesses, along with an additional $9.6 million in federal assistance through the Small Business Administration. His efforts supported 846 businesses and helped safeguard more than 1,500 at-risk jobs during statewide shutdowns.
Prior to BCIC, Mr. Burkhart held previous leadership roles with the City of Brownsville, including serving as Interim Director of the Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau and as Assistant Director of Marketing & Business Development for the Parks and Recreation Department. In those roles, he oversaw marketing for 11 municipal divisions and managed operations for parks, athletics programs, trails, and public facilities spanning more than 1,000 acres.
“Nathan’s blend of economic development expertise, tourism experience, and innovative leadership makes him the perfect choice to guide our Convention & Visitors Bureau and Office of Space Commerce,” said Alan Guard, Deputy City Manager. “His vision and proven record will help Brownsville continue its upward trajectory as a destination for visitors, business, and the space industry. We are excited to welcome him back to the City team.”
Mr. Burkhart also brings private-sector experience from his work as Director of Marketing at Ruby Red Hospitality, where he led branding, digital content development, and hospitality marketing initiatives for hotels and restaurants in South Texas.
His professional accomplishments have earned national recognition, including being named among the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America (2025) and Top 40 Under 40 Economic Developers (2025). He is also a multi-year recipient of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Rank Awards from the International Economic Development Council.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue serving the City of Brownsville,” said Burkhart. “Brownsville is experiencing unprecedented momentum in tourism, innovation, and space commerce. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated City teams to showcase everything our community has to offer, on the ground and beyond.”
Mr. Burkhart holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, graduating summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He has completed multiple certifications through the International Economic Development Council, including courses in entrepreneurship-led development, small business strategies, real estate reuse, and credit analysis.
Mr. Burkhart will start his new role on December 29, 2025.
