BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Nathan Burkhart, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation for the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation has been named one of the top 50 economic developers in North America.
The accolade comes from Consultant Connect, a national consulting agency that works to connect economic development organizations with site selectors.
Consultant Connect said: “This annual recognition honors outstanding economic development professionals who are nominated by their peers in both the economic development and site consulting industries. Nominees are selected for their exemplary leadership, innovative strategies, and measurable impact in building thriving communities.”
Consultant Connect has started a series on LinkedIn that features the 50 recipients of their awards. The feature on Burkhart has not yet been posted. “These spotlights will offer recipients the opportunity to share insights on industry trends, leadership, and career development—creating a platform for peer-to-peer learning and recognition,” the group stated.
Honorees will also be officially recognized at the upcoming ECONOMIX conference on November 12, 2025, in Lake Nona, Florida.
“At Consultant Connect, we believe economic development goes beyond infrastructure and investment—it’s about creating opportunities that transform lives,” said a spokesperson from Consultant Connect. “We’re honored to shine a spotlight on these exceptional leaders who are driving meaningful change across North America.”
Cori Peña, BCIC’s president, said she is “proud” Burkhart won the award. She said it follows his earlier recognition on the Economic Development 40 Under 40 list.
A press release from BCIC stated: “This prestigious recognition celebrates leaders who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, impact, and leadership in economic development. Nominated by their peers in the economic development and site location consulting industries, the honorees represent the best in the field—professionals who are driving transformation and building stronger communities.”
Burkhart, who helped develop the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization in downtown Brownsville, said: “I’m proud to help build spaces where local talent can grow and succeed without having to leave.”
Gilberto Salinas, CEO of Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation won the same award in 2021 when he was executive director of Kerr Economic Development Corporation.
Here is the complete list of recipients:
Consultant Connect works to bridge the gap between leading economic developers and site location consultants through exclusive networking events, educational services and leadership development. Consultant Connect not only gives economic developers an inside look into the world of site selection – it gives them the applicable information necessary to propel their careers and communities forward. For more information, please visit www.consultantconnect.org.
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) is a Type B economic development organization funded by a 1/4 cent sales tax on every taxable dollar spent within Brownsville city limits. BCIC’s mission is to enhance quality of life through innovative and equitable economic development initiatives, ensuring that every investment contributes to a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous Brownsville.
Nathan Alexander Burkhart is an economic developer and marketing executive with international academic and work experience. His skills span business development, ecosystem building, corporate branding, and project management across financial services, consulting, and marketing industries. He has led complex strategic initiatives, improved operations through data-driven approaches, and navigated bureaucratic and stakeholder relationships with ease.
A trusted advisor to executive and political leaders, Nathan understands the power of policy-making and entrepreneurship-led economic development. He has designed award-winning, community-centered programs to build equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). His work focuses on fostering minority- and LGBTQIA+-owned business growth, enhancing corporate partnerships, and developing bespoke networking groups.
Nathan was the lead developer of the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization, the largest startup incubator of its kind in the RGV. Under his leadership, eBridge became a key driver of inclusive innovation and startup success, offering wraparound services and access to capital for early-stage ventures. In recognition of his impact, Nathan was selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Economic Developers for 2025 by Development Counsellors International and Jorgenson Pace, Inc., and was the only honoree from Texas that year. He was also recognized as one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers for 2025, further cementing his national reputation for excellence in the field.
Nathan is the Chair of the Board for Come Dream Come Build, the largest non-profit affordable housing developer in Texas. He serves on the board of the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, dedicated to strengthening the local food system and improving access to affordable & nutritious food. He is a founding board member of the Texas Venture Alliance, amplifying and advocating for the ecosystem of startup support across Texas and in the Legislature. He is also a board member of the Better Futures Institute, tackling urban and social challenges in San Antonio while driving innovation and regional connections for a more equitable future amid the growth of the South Texas Triangle region. Additionally, Nathan serves on the board of United Way of Southern Cameron County, supporting collaborative initiatives that uplift the most vulnerable members of the community.
Nathan holds an MBA from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a BBA in Marketing & Government from UT Austin’s McCombs School. He also studied International Marketing and Cross-Cultural Negotiation at the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris.
Nathan’s career is defined by inclusive leadership, public-private collaboration, and transformative economic initiatives that create lasting regional impact.
