Over the past two weeks, President-elect Donald Trump’s new cabinet picks have propelled several Texas leaders to the highest levels of government, demonstrating the importance of the Lone Star State in shaping the future of our nation during the forthcoming administration. At the Texas Association of Business (TAB), we are proud to see the appointment of three distinguished Texas trailblazers to key cabinet positions, where they will bring their Texas-influenced expertise, commitment to excellence, and pro-business mindset to help strengthen our nation while ensuring that Texas has a seat at the table when it comes to cultivating the U.S. business environment, economy, and national security.
John Ratcliffe – CIA Director
On November 12, President-elect Trump designated former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe to serve as the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). With his robust intelligence background, particularly during his time as President Trump’s director of national intelligence (DNI) during his first administration, Ratcliffe is uniquely equipped to address critical challenges that directly affect the business community. Ratcliffe’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Americans’ intellectual property is under threat, while federal agencies are repeatedly sounding the alarm bells on cyber-attacks from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Writing in the Wall Street Journal during his time at the helm of DNI, Ratcliffe was clear-eyed about the generational threat the U.S. faces from China:
“Beijing is preparing for an open-ended period of confrontation with the U.S. Washington should also be prepared. Leaders must work across partisan divides to understand the threat, speak about it openly, and take action to address it.
“This is our once-in-a-generation challenge. Americans have always risen to the moment, from defeating the scourge of fascism to bringing down the Iron Curtain. This generation will be judged by its response to China’s effort to reshape the world in its own image and replace America as the dominant superpower. The intelligence is clear. Our response must be as well.”
With our nation’s adversaries continuing to target individuals and businesses in an attempt to cripple our economy and sew chaos, it will be more important than ever to have Ratcliffe’s steady hand at the wheel of our nation’s premiere intelligence and counter-intelligence operations. Ratcliffe’s proven track record, along with his deep understanding of geopolitical risks, positions him well to protect American businesses from exploitation by foreign threats.
Scott Turner – Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
On November 22, President-elect Trump nominated Scott Turner to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a former member of the Texas House of Representatives and respected business and community leader, Turner is well-poised to advance Texas values in the housing sector. With the Lone Star State continuing to see a rising influx of companies and their employees, housing will be an even more critical issue impacting our economy in the coming years. From his experience in the technology industry to his recent leadership role at a leading construction and development company, Turner’s expertise will play a crucial role in ensuring that federal housing policies support the growing needs of Texas’ business environment.
Turner is also no stranger to the White House, having served as Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC) under previous HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, coordinating 15 federal agencies and three regional entities while supervising the implementation of over 200 federal policy actions. Turner also founded the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council in 2021, leveraging his experience as a former NFL player and faith leader to help distressed communities through sports, mentorship, and economic opportunity.
In nominating Turner to serve as HUD Secretary, President-elect Trump emphasized the importance of leveraging private sector investment to grow economic opportunity in communities across the U.S.:
“Under Scott’s leadership, Opportunity Zones received over $50 Billion Dollars in Private Investment! Scott will work alongside me to Make America Great Again for EVERY American.”
Affordable and accessible housing is essential for workforce stability and economic development, and we are confident that Turner’s background in both public service and the private sector will help advance policies that ensure Texas will continue to flourish and maintain its role as the best business climate in the nation.
Brooke Rollins – Secretary of Agriculture
On November 23, President-elect trump announced Brooke Rollins will be nominated to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. As a prominent Texas leader advancing pro-business public policy and a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, Rollins is a fantastic choice to steward policy to help protect American agriculture producers and our nation’s food supply. Rollins has consistently demonstrated her dedication to fostering a strong business environment through her work under former Texas Governor Rick Perry and leadership roles at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and the America First Policy Institute. Her pro-business leadership and understanding of agriculture’s vital role in the Texas economy and throughout the U.S. will ensure that policies at the federal level empower farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to compete and thrive in an increasingly globalized market.
President-elect Trump reiterated Rollins’s commitment to the American famer:
“Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none.”
Rollins humbly reflected on the significance of her appointment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), noting that:
“This is big stuff for a small-town ag girl from Glen Rose, TX — truly the American Dream at its greatest.”
When confirmed, Rollins will be the second woman in history to lead the USDA.
The inclusion of Ratcliffe, Turner, and Rollins in President Trump’s new cabinet underscores Texas’ pivotal role in shaping the nation’s policies. When it comes to cultivating an attractive business environment, policy matters, and the values these leaders have embodied here in the Lone Star State – innovation, growth, and resilience – represent the very best of Texas.
TAB congratulates these exceptional leaders and looks forward to continue working with them and all new cabinet members to ensure our state’s core principles are reflected in key decisions impacting the economy, national security, and our business environment.
With strong Texas representation in Washington, the future of our business community is brighter than ever.
- Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
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