Nathan Burkhart, vice president of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, has been named the new director of the Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Office of Space Commerce.
He starts the new job Dec. 29.
“It’s hard to walk away (from BCIC) after almost seven years, but I am really excited to be able to continue some of the similar initiatives and more over at the city,” Burkhart told The Brownsville Herald.
He joined BCIC as business and marketing director, then became director of business before landing the VP role. Before BCIC, Burkhart was with the city in 2018 and part of 2019, the year the independent CVB was put under the city. Burkhart served as the organization’s CVB interim director, overseeing the transition.
He also served as assistant director of marketing and business development for Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department, overseeing marketing for 11 municipal divisions and managing operations for parks, athletics programs, trails and public facilities spanning more than 1,000 acres.
He said he’d wanted to turn the CVB into “something special,” but was soon offered the chance to help create BCIC’s eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization.
“That was an opportunity I couldn’t say no to,” Burkhart said.
He guided the expansion of BCIC’s StartUp Texas Seed Fund and Accelerator Program, which have become “cornerstone resources” for fledgling companies across the state, according to the city. Burkhart also managed operations and strategic partnerships for eBridge Center, which the city describes as 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,” according to the city. “His efforts supported 846 businesses and helped safeguard more than 1,500 at-risk jobs during statewide shutdowns.”
CVB was made a full city department almost two years ago, though it has been without a director several months.
“What really kind of drew me, other than coming back to the CVB, was the office of space commerce portion as well, continuing the economic development trends that the city is making,” Burkhart said.
He said he looks forward to further developing the space commerce office, which will continue to complement the efforts of BCIC and the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and bridge any gaps.
“GBIC has done a fantastic job in development of the workforce training needed for those suppliers and companies associated with space commerce,” Burkhart said. “They also have been really great at recruiting service companies that SpaceX needs, like Linde and the most recent one, Superior GHQ.”
BCIC, for its part, has launched a space-accelerator program meant to give local companies the access to training and programming they need to help them tap into the space market, he said.
“And continue to really carve out Brownsville’s presence as this third space entity after Houston and the Space Coast over in Florida,” Burkhart said.
CVB already has a “fantastic team” in place, he said.
“The assistant director there is Mali Montesam, who has done a phenomenal job the last seven or eight months that she’s been leading it with no director there,” Burkhart said. “I’m just ready to take it to newer heights and I’m really excited about building out that Office of Space Commerce.
“I want to give a shout out to (City Manager) Helen Ramirez for giving me this chance, and the city manager’s office for believing in me and more than anything just how excited I am to work with the team over there.”
Ramirez said the city is glad to have Burkhart back and that he’ll have a “strong and talented team” to work with.
“His extensive experience aligns perfectly with our leadership’s vision for the (CVB) and Office of Space Commerce,” she said. “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.”
Deputy City Manager Alan Guard said Burkhart’s blend of economic development and tourism expertise, combined with “innovative leadership,” make him the ideal choice to head Space Commerce and the CVB.
“His vision and proven record will help Brownsville continue its upward trajectory as a destination for visitors, business and the space industry,” he said. “We are excited to welcome him back to the city team.”
Burkhart in 2025 was named a Top 50 Economic Developer in North America and a Top 40 Under 40 Economic Developer, and has won gold, silver and bronze awards from the International Economic Development Council. He holds a business bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas-Austin and graduated summa cum laude from the UTRGV with a master’s in business administration.
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