ACG Houston: September Monthly Luncheon

Born and raised in New York, Ed Curtis relocated to Dallas, Texas at the age of twenty-five and has happily lived in the Lone Star State ever since. Over more than twenty years as a Texas commercial banking executive, Ed witnessed an increasing number of clientele relocating their businesses into Texas.  As a result, he exited the banking industry to form YTexas.

In 2012, Ed traveled the world with Governor Rick Perry and his Office of Economic Development, assisting in the recruitment of companies interested in relocating or expanding their businesses into Texas.  In 2013, Ed founded and trademarked YTexas, an elite business network that helps support, promote and connect companies that are relocating and expanding into the Lone Star State. YTexas has become a turnkey, go-to resource for the most current insider information about Texas' community, commerce and culture.  

Ed is the author of Why Texas: How Business Discovered the Lone Star State, co-hosts the CEO Insider Podcast and is a frequent guest and contributor to the Fox Business Channel, CNN Money and several Texas business publications.  Ed's ultimate vision is to build YTexas to national prominence and to replicate the program in states around the U.S.. Ed lives in Austin with his wife, Staci, and two children.

Sassie Duggleby is the CEO and co-founder of Venus Aerospace. Before launching Venus, she was Launch Systems Engineering and Mission Management Consultant at Virgin Orbit, where she also developed and tested launch software and telemetry systems, helping to launch rockets from the wing of a 747. She has spent her career growing multiple high tech startup businesses including fiber-optic test (Luna Technologies), biotech (Ecolyse / Phage Biocontrol), and hazardous trailer manufacturing (Exosent). Engineer and MBA, serial deep tech entrepreneur who is passionate about women in tech. Recently created the “Bada$$ Women in Aerospace” networking group. Mom of two, avid lover of outdoor activities. Named herself Sassie at 2 and it stuck.

Jimmy Spence is the Senior Business Development Specialist for Houston Airport System’s (HAS) Ellington Airport and Houston Spaceport.  Spence oversees the development and marketing of the Houston Spaceport and works to attract companies to the burgeoning aerospace hub.  Spence also works with educational institutions like San Jacinto College to support workforce development and training.

Prior to joining the Houston Airport System, Spence worked for the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) where he coordinated a national advocacy effort on behalf of the American space program, led efforts to expand Houston’s aerospace industry, and worked with community stakeholders to grow and diversify the regional aerospace ecosystem.  His work at BAHEP included working closely with HAS throughout the development of the Houston Spaceport.