AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Association of Business, the state’s leading business advocacy organization and official Texas State Chamber of Commerce, has named Kelly Keel as its next President & Chief Executive Officer, effective Oct. 2, 2026.
Keel currently serves as Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), bringing a quarter-century of state government and regulatory leadership experience to TAB as she transitions to representing employers before the Texas Legislature.
“There is no better time to be leading the most dynamic and important business community in the country,” Keel said. “Texas employers are the driving force behind the world’s 8th largest economy, and deserve a strong, unified voice at the Capitol that can navigate the complex legislative and regulatory challenges our businesses face as Texas continues our unprecedented population and economic growth.”
Keel added that she looks forward to working on behalf of employers across the state to ensure Texas remains a global leader and the national benchmark for a pro-business environment.
Jo Betsy Norton, Chair of the TAB Board of Directors, praised Keel’s proven record within state government and regulatory policy.
“Kelly knows how Texas works, and she knows what it takes to keep Texas working for job creators,” Norton said. “Our members expect Texas to be ready to welcome new businesses and investment, and that means strengthening our infrastructure, growing our workforce, and expanding educational pathways that connect Texans to high-demand careers.”
Norton expressed full confidence that under Keel’s leadership, TAB will continue advancing key pro-business priorities and legislative reforms across the state.
Keel has served as Executive Director of the TCEQ since December 2023, directing day-to-day operations for an agency featuring approximately 3,200 employees, 16 regional offices, and an annual operating budget of roughly $665 million.
Her 25-year tenure at the state’s primary environmental regulator began in 2001 within the Office of Air. In 2008, she was appointed the first Director of the Water Quality Planning Division.
From 2012 to 2018, Keel served as Area Director for Coastal and East Texas in the Office of Compliance and Enforcement, overseeing regional field offices in Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and Tyler. In that role, she led agency emergency response operations during major natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey.
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Keel headed TCEQ’s Office of Administrative Services, managing agency budgeting, finance, information technology, and human resources.
Throughout her quarter-century in state government, Keel has worked directly with members of the Texas Legislature, statewide elected officials, and leaders across major industries on key permitting, water, air, and infrastructure issues critical to the state's economic expansion.
A native Texan, Keel holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Service and Administration from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M. She resides in Austin with her family.
