Lisa Denton is the Executive Director for the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation in Kilgore, Texas. Having served in this position since August 2021, she oversees all aspects of economic development for the city, including primary employer retention and expansion, recruitment, marketing, property development and sales, budgeting, project finance and incentives and property management.
Ms. Denton is a graduate of the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program where she earned her Master Practitioner credential (MEDP) through Clemson University, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama and University of Southern Mississippi. She has also earned her Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification through the National Development Council, as well as Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) certification through the Community Development Institute at Lone Star College in The Woodlands. She is certified as a Business Retention and Expansion Professional (BREP) through Business Retention & Expansion International. She attended the Basic Economic Development Course at Texas A & M.
Before coming home to Kilgore, Ms. Denton served as Executive Director for both Palestine Economic Development Corporation and Athens Economic Development Corporation. She began her economic development career in Kilgore, TX, where she held the position of Assistant Director for KEDC for 10+ years.
Ms. Denton has been a member of, and held positions with, several organizations, including:
Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC)-Board Member 2017-2021, 2023-
Workforce Committee 2015-current, PAC Committee Co-Chair 2017, Budget Committee 2018, Nominating Committee 2019, 2022, Certified Texas Economic Developer Committee 2023-
East Texas Economic Development District (ETEDD) Board Member 2018-current
East Texas Regional Development Company-Board Member 2014-current
Northeast Texas Economic Developers Roundtable (NETEDR)-President 2010-2011
Marketing/Communications Committee Chair 2007-2010
I-20 Corridor Marketing Association-President 2015-2019, Vice-President 2021-current
Northeast Texas Economic Alliance Marketing Association (NETEA)-Secretary 2007-2014
International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC)-College of Fellows 2019
Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC)
Team Texas State Marketing Association-Advisory Board Member 2022-current
Business Retention & Expansion International (BREI)-President 2012-2013, President-Elect
2011-2012, Board Member 2009-2011, Marketing/Communications Committee Chair 2008-2010;
State Chair 2007-2010
International Council of Shopping Centers
Rotary Club of Athens
Kilgore Chamber of Commerce-Ex-Officio Board Member 2021-current
Leadership Kilgore Graduate 2007
Kilgore Boys & Girls Club Founding Council Member 2008-2011
Kilgore College Advanced Manufacturing & Industrial Technology Council (AMIT) 2021-current
Kilgore College Workforce Development Advisory Committee-Chair 2008-2014
Kilgore College Process Technology Advisory Committee
Kilgore ISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee