Lisa Denton

A veteran economic development leader with over 20 years of experience delivering high-impact results for Texas communities. As Executive Director of Kilgore EDC, Lisa has helped attract over $250 million in new investment and nearly 1,700 jobs under contract since 2021. Lisa holds multiple advanced certifications, including MEDP, EDFP, and PCED, and is recognized for her strategic leadership in business recruitment and retention & expansion, workforce development, site readiness, and organizational development. She serves on numerous state and regional boards, and her collaborative, data-informed approach has earned both state and international recognition for excellence in economic development.

Feb. 12, 2026

EP01 - Kilgore Spotlight Series: The Big Picture: Kilgore’s Economic Future

In the first of our special series of Gone To Texas, highlighting Kilgore, TX, Dave sits down with Lisa Denton, Executive Director of the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation. The conversation opens with a look at Kilgore’s history and its transformation from an oil boomtown to a diversified industrial center. Lisa shares how Kilgore’s industrial tax base has grown 551% since the formation of the Kilgore EDC in 1990, despite setbacks from the loss of legacy energy companies. The discussion h...

Guest: Lisa Denton

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