Department of Economic Development & Tourism
Our mission is to establish Sugar Land as the premier destination for visitors, employers, employees, and residents alike. We envision a city renowned for creating extraordinary experiences, delivering unparalleled customer service, and fostering an environment where the right talent can thrive. Together, we will craft unforgettable memories and make Sugar Land a place that exceeds every expectation.
Staff
Alba Penate-Johnson
Assistant Director of Economic Development
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Elizabeth Huff
Director of Economic Development & Tourism
Elizabeth Huff is a dynamic leader whose strategic vision and collaborative approach have elevated Sugar Land’s economic development and tourism efforts to new heights. As Director of Economic Development and Tourism, Elizabeth leads a multifaceted team responsible for business recruitment, business retention, tourism marketing and sales efforts through Visit Sugar Land. Her work has positioned the city as a premier destination for both business and leisure.
With over 15 years of economic development experience, including prior roles at the Greater Houston Partnership and Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Elizabeth brings deep industry knowledge and a regional perspective. She has successfully directed the City's annual business plan, driving efforts to attract high-value employers, support small business growth and strengthen Sugar Land’s identity as a vibrant, culturally rich community.
Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Louisiana State University and is respected across the region for her integrity, thoughtfulness and results-oriented leadership.
With over 15 years of economic development experience, including prior roles at the Greater Houston Partnership and Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Elizabeth brings deep industry knowledge and a regional perspective. She has successfully directed the City's annual business plan, driving efforts to attract high-value employers, support small business growth and strengthen Sugar Land’s identity as a vibrant, culturally rich community.
Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Louisiana State University and is respected across the region for her integrity, thoughtfulness and results-oriented leadership.
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Gabriela Robinson
Administrative Assistant
Gabriela Robinson serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Economic Development, providing both secretarial and administrative support to the Director and department staff. She manages calendar scheduling, arranges travel and itineraries, and plans department meetings as well as external staff functions. Gabriela also handles projects and special assignments by establishing objectives, determining priorities, and effectively managing time to ensure successful outcomes.
In addition to coordinating day-to-day operations, she stays up to date on City policies and procedures, ensuring the department remains in compliance and operates efficiently. With many years of administrative experience and a strong background in customer service, Gabriela approaches every challenge with professionalism and a commitment to delivering the best possible solutions for any issues that arise.
In addition to coordinating day-to-day operations, she stays up to date on City policies and procedures, ensuring the department remains in compliance and operates efficiently. With many years of administrative experience and a strong background in customer service, Gabriela approaches every challenge with professionalism and a commitment to delivering the best possible solutions for any issues that arise.
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Alba Penate-Johnson
Assistant Director of Economic Development
As Assistant Director, Alba leads business development and fiscal strategy to advance Sugar Land’s economic growth. Her work supports business attraction, private investment, and long-term development across key sectors, including life sciences.
Alba plays a central role in positioning Sugar Land as a growing hub for biotech and health innovation. She is actively involved in the development of Tract 2, a future life sciences district, where infrastructure is underway to support research and biotech facilities by 2026.
Alba holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Business from Houston Christian University. She brings both strategic vision and operational expertise to her role, leveraging public-private partnerships, fiscal tools, and targeted infrastructure to grow Sugar Land’s economic base—especially in future-facing industries like life sciences.
Alba plays a central role in positioning Sugar Land as a growing hub for biotech and health innovation. She is actively involved in the development of Tract 2, a future life sciences district, where infrastructure is underway to support research and biotech facilities by 2026.
Alba holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in International Business from Houston Christian University. She brings both strategic vision and operational expertise to her role, leveraging public-private partnerships, fiscal tools, and targeted infrastructure to grow Sugar Land’s economic base—especially in future-facing industries like life sciences.
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Alison Brooks
Assistant Director of Tourism
As the Tourism Administrator for Visit Sugar Land, Alison directs the strategic initiatives to promote tourism and drive visitor engagement and economic growth within the city. With a robust background in hospitality, she maintains a passionate commitment to curating distinctive experiences for travelers while committed to providing experiences for residents and visitors to enjoy a life better than they can even imagine.
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Jennifer Alexander
Business Development Manager
As a Business Development Manager, Jennifer’s primary responsibilities include identifying business expansions and relocations, cultivating relationships with existing businesses, and business networking activities. Jennifer’s role also involves maintaining a strong understanding of the competitive landscape and adjusting strategies accordingly to stay ahead in the market. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s in Communications with a concentration in Social Interaction and a Minor in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
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Colby Millenbruch
Business Recruitment Manager
As a Business Recruitment Manager, Colby’s primary responsibilities include attracting new businesses to the region, building strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders, and guiding prospects through the site selection and relocation process. Colby also focuses on promoting the area's competitive advantages and aligning recruitment efforts with economic development goals. His role requires a deep understanding of market trends and industry needs to effectively position the city for long-term growth. Colby holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from Texas A&M University.
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Nhan Le
Compliance and Budget Analyst
As Compliance and Budget Analyst, Nhan is responsible for the compliance for all active Tax Abatements, Direct & Retention Incentives and the Economic Development Department budgets by analyzing key budget metrics on a monthly basis for all accounts. Holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield.
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Jordan Cutler
Senior Marketing Manager
As the Senior Marketing Manager for Visit Sugar Land, Jordan Cutler is responsible for developing and executing captivating marketing campaigns and developing creative strategies that attract visitors to explore the city's vibrant culture, diverse culinary scene, and exciting outdoor adventures. Jordan has previously worked with Downtown Houston, Discover South Carolina, South Carolina State Parks and has a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Claflin University.
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Alyssa Abdulla
Sales and Event Manager
Alyssa's passion for hospitality began in Sugar Land, Texas, where she grew up helping her family run a local ice cream shop, Maggie Moos. There, her father taught her the fundamentals of sales and marketing through the simple act of taking care of people—a lesson that continues to guide her career today.
After graduating from the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Alyssa built her career in Houston’s dynamic hospitality scene. She learned the art of guest service at The Sam Houston Hotel before joining the pre-opening team at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, where she helped shape the hotel’s presence in a rapidly growing market. It was there she saw the powerful role DMOs play in shaping a destination’s story, which inspired her to join Houston First. There, she promoted the city to meeting and event planners—ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale conventions—always with a focus on creating experiences that connect people to a place.
Today, as the Sales and Events Manager for Visit Sugar Land, Alyssa has come full circle. She now leads efforts to bring meetings and events to the community where her story began—the city where she was born, raised, and is now raising her own family. For Alyssa, every partnership and every event is an opportunity to showcase Sugar Land’s unique charm, support local businesses, and strengthen the community’s future through tourism.
After graduating from the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Alyssa built her career in Houston’s dynamic hospitality scene. She learned the art of guest service at The Sam Houston Hotel before joining the pre-opening team at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, where she helped shape the hotel’s presence in a rapidly growing market. It was there she saw the powerful role DMOs play in shaping a destination’s story, which inspired her to join Houston First. There, she promoted the city to meeting and event planners—ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale conventions—always with a focus on creating experiences that connect people to a place.
Today, as the Sales and Events Manager for Visit Sugar Land, Alyssa has come full circle. She now leads efforts to bring meetings and events to the community where her story began—the city where she was born, raised, and is now raising her own family. For Alyssa, every partnership and every event is an opportunity to showcase Sugar Land’s unique charm, support local businesses, and strengthen the community’s future through tourism.
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Nicole Kestenbaum
Tourism Marketing Associate
As a Tourism Marketing Associate at the Office of Economic Development, Nicole is responsible for supporting the Sr. Marketing Manager in initiatives related to the Sugar Land Office of Economic Development leisure tourism, sales and meeting planners, cultural arts, E-commerce, and Business Development, Business Retention and Expansion marketing programs in their respective missions to market and promote the City as a competitive meeting, corporate, and leisure destination and as a strategic location for business investment and an economic powerhouse. Nicole's experience is working as a content creator since 2012 and managing her own brand and blog, Lipstick and Brunch, for more than 10 years and working with brands like Visit Houston, TxDOT, Neiman Marcus and more.
Nicole holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Advertising from the Universidad Tecnologica de Centroamerica from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Photography from HCC.
Nicole holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Advertising from the Universidad Tecnologica de Centroamerica from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Photography from HCC.
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