Gov. Rick Perry File photo A. Lee Graham Reporter TCU alumnus Jonathan Taylor has been named senior adviser for economic development with Gov. Rick Perry’s Economic Development and Tourism Division. Also named to the Governor’s Office on Monday are Kathy Walt, who will serve as chief of staff, and Aaron Demerson, as senior adviser for economic development. “Our division of economic development and tourism plays a critical role in the economic strength of our state, and with Jonathan Taylor at the helm and Aaron Demerson as senior adviser, we will continue to improve our state by attracting world-class companies to Texas,” Perry said in a news release. Taylor, who has worked for the state for more than 10 years, most recently served as director of the Enterprise Project Management Office at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Prior to that, he served as director of the Texas Emerging Tech Fund and previously served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a staff sergeant combat medic and combat adviser. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Walt most recently served as executive manager for governmental affairs at the Lower Colorado River Authority. She previously served as deputy chief of staff, senior adviser and press secretary for the Office of the Governor. Prior to that, Walt was a reporter for various newspapers in Texas, Ohio and Virginia, including the Houston Chronicle. “Kathy is a long-time trusted adviser and her continued service will be invaluable as she returns home to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Governor’s Office,” Perry said. Demerson has been with EDT since the Texas Department of Economic Development merged with the Governor’s Office in 2003. He previously served as manager of the Texas Tomorrow Fund for the comptroller of public accounts and as manager of credit administration at the Texas Department of Commerce. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a bachelor’s degree in finance. lgraham@bizpress.net