Austin, TX — TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today named David Edmonson as its new Executive Director for Texas and the Southeast. Based in Austin, Texas, Edmonson will oversee TechNet’s state advocacy and political activities in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. He will assume the role on November 26.

“We are thrilled to welcome David Edmonson to the TechNet team,” said TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore. “Tech’s footprint in Texas and the Southeast only continues to grow, which makes it increasingly important for our industry to play a leading role in the policy debates taking place there. We are excited to have a seasoned advocate like David engaging with state and local policymakers in the region, ensuring that they continue to implement public policies that allow innovation to continue to flourish.”

Of Edmonson’s hiring, TechNet Vice President of State Policy and Politics David London said, “Pro-innovation policies have driven the growth of established tech hubs such as Austin, but they have also fueled the rise of new ones throughout the Southeastern U.S. in places like Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Nashville, and Miami. With David Edmonson’s addition to our 50-state advocacy program, TechNet is well-positioned to ensure this trend continues and that even more communities benefit from the innovation economy.”

In joining TechNet, Edmonson said, “I am incredibly excited to join TechNet’s successful state team. The Southeast has witnessed a surge in innovative young startups expanding throughout the region, along with the iconic tech companies that already call the region home. I look forward to advocating on behalf of the tech industry in state capitals across the Southeastern U.S. to promote policies that spur job creation, foster economic development, and incentivize innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Edmonson joins TechNet from the Austin Tech Alliance (ATA), where he served as Executive Director. Among his many duties in this role, he was responsible for implementing ATA’s state advocacy agenda, recruiting new members, and executing all high-level programming, events, and communications. Prior to that, Edmonson held various high-level positions in the office of Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis (D), including Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director. While he worked for State Senator Ellis, Edmonson directed media relations, represented the Senator at speaking engagements, and coordinated legislative strategy. He also gained invaluable policy experience through his work on environmental, energy, and education issues affecting Texans. Edmonson has also served as General Counsel to Texas State Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D) and as a Law Clerk to then-Attorney General Greg Abbott (R). Edmonson received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston.