Pearland Economic Development Corporation Elects New Board Officers for 2026
PEARLAND, Texas — The Pearland Economic Development Corporation has elected new officers to its 2026 Board of Directors during its December 11 meeting. The officers will assume their duties at the January 15 board meeting.
Elected Officers:
• Dena Hanks – Chair
• JW Washington – Vice Chair
• Craig Slater – Secretary
About the Officers
Dena Hanks joined the PEDC Board in 2023. She is an interior designer and owner of Hanks Design Group. She is a founding board member of the Pearland Leadership Foundation and is the current chair. Other board service includes the Pearland ISD Education Foundation, where she previously served as president. She also served on multiple Pearland Chamber of Commerce committees and other previous services, including the Pearland Library Advisory Board, Brazoria County Library and Foundation Board, Adult Education Center, Pearland ISD Long Range Planning Committee, and Women in Leadership in Pearland.
JW Washington joined the PEDC board in 2023. He is currently Vice President of Sales, America for AriensCo. He serves on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Houston Metro Go Texan Committee, the National Association of Landscape Professionals National Collegiate Landscape Competition, Pearland High Theater Booster Club, and Robert Turner High School PTA. JW has also volunteered his time on the Houston Community College Advisory Board: Agricultural & Horticultural Academic Programs, as a coach and mentor for Pearland ISD junior high & middle school robotics teams, certified United States Youth Soccer (USYS) trainer for area youth soccer clubs, and Game Day Soccer League team manager.
Craig Slater joined the PEDC board in 2023. He is the owner of Craig Slater Insurance Agency. Currently a Pearland Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Craig previously served as Chair for the Pearland Charter Review Committee and is a past president of the Pearland Rotary Club.
About PEDC
Established in 1995, PEDC is the lead economic development organization for Pearland, focusing on business attraction and retention, infrastructure development, strategic corridor redevelopment, small business support, and workforce development. PEDC is a non-profit Type B Corporation funded primarily by a half-cent sales tax.