Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.  *U.S. Economic Development Administration*
    Menu
    
Close
          


                                      Our Work & ProgramsEDA Program ListSuccess StoriesAmerican Rescue PlanTech HubsRecompete Pilot ProgramDisaster RecoveryPublic WorksBuild to ScaleSTEM Talent ChallengePartner InitiativesAnnual ReportsInvestment Priorities    
                        
                                                                          
      
      
      Find Open FundingFind FundingRecompete Pilot Program Phase 2Disaster RecoveryPublic WorksEconomic Adjustment Assistance    
                        
                                                                          
      
      
      Resources & ToolsFind Grant ResourcesManaging Your EDA GrantEconomic Development DirectoryTribal Community SupportPerformanceEDA Grant History ListIndirect Costs    
                        
                                                                          
      
      
      NewsPress ReleasesEDA BlogNews ListingMedia Request Form    
                        
                                                                          
      
      
      AboutAbout EDALeadershipFind local EDA RepresentativeCareersSpeaking Request FormMeeting Request FormTranslate


                Contact
              mobile search
    Search BreadcrumbHomeAbout EDAEDA Leadership In this section
              About EDA
      
                                
                                                                                                                            
        
        
        Leadership
                                Alejandra Y. Castillo
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Craig Buerstatte
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Cristina Killingsworth
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Maryam Janani-Flores
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Jen Werner
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Atlanta Regional Office
      
                                                  
                                                                    
        
        
        Austin Regional Office
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Chicago Regional Office
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Denver Regional Office
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Philadelphia Regional Office
      
                                                  
                                        
        
        
        Seattle Regional Office
      
                                
                                        
        
        
        Find local EDA Representative
      
                                
                                                                    
        
        
        Careers
      
                                
                                        
        
        
        Speaking Request Form
      
                                
                                        
        
        
        Meeting Request FormAustin Regional Office
                                          Share:
                              Photo of Jorge AyalaJorge Ayala

Regional Director

Jorge Ayala serves as the Regional Director for EDA’s Austin Regional Office. He is responsible for a five-state region including Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. He and his staff develop and manage the agency’s investments to support jobs, private investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness in the region.

Jorge has been with EDA for over 25 years. During his tenure, he has served in several capacities including Area Director, Director of Operations Management and Project Engineer. He has been instrumental in several major innovations that are now EDA standards, such as multi-year partnership planning grants and the EDA construction grant post-approval process tool.

Before joining EDA, Jorge worked in the Air Force as an Aerospace Engineer on the F-16 and F-15 jet engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney. While EDA represents a major departure from his jet engine days, he could not envision doing anything else.

Jorge holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University – Kingsville and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of South Florida. Jorge is the recipient of the 2016 U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for his work leading a national EDA team which improved the application process for all bureau grant programs.

. About
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Contact
    
                        
                              
      
      
      EDA Program List
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Find Open Funding
    
                        
                              
      
      
      News
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Resources & Tools
 Email Form
      Your email address
 Facebook
      Twitter
      YouTube
      LinkedIn
      Instagram
 U.S. Department of Commerce
            1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Suite 71014
            Washington, DC 20230
 Accessibility
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Commerce.gov
    
                        
                              
      
      
      EDA Archives
    
                        
                              
      
      
      EDA.gov
    
                        
                                                    
      
      
      FOIA
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants.gov
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Information Quality
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Massachusetts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Operating Policies
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                              
      
      
      USA.gov