Alma Saldaña Cruz Joins COSTEP as Assistant Director of Economic Development

COSTEP names Alma Saldaña Cruz as Assistant Director of Economic Development to lead regional investment attraction and strengthen cross-border collaboration in South Texas.

New leadership will support regional business attraction and cross-border collaboration in South Texas

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) has announced the appointment of Alma Saldaña Cruz as its new Assistant Director of Economic Development. With over a decade of experience in regional branding, cross-border outreach, and public-sector engagement, Saldaña Cruz brings a fresh perspective to COSTEP’s ongoing efforts to promote economic opportunity and binational growth.

A Strong Background in Regional Promotion and Strategic Marketing

Saldaña Cruz holds a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design and a Certification in Public Management from Texas A&M International University. Her professional path has been defined by results-oriented strategies in marketing, communications, and economic development—particularly within the South Texas–Northern Mexico region.

During her tenure as Marketing Manager for Port Laredo, she led the “We Keep the World Moving” campaign, which earned first place in the Printed Promotional Category at the 2025 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Awards. The recognition highlighted her ability to merge creativity with measurable impact in the field of regional promotion.

Supporting Investment Attraction and Regional Collaboration

In her new role at COSTEP, Saldaña Cruz will be responsible for overseeing business attraction efforts and stakeholder engagement initiatives across South Texas. Her appointment reinforces COSTEP’s commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation, enhancing the region’s competitiveness, and driving long-term economic development.

With a background that includes branding and communications roles across industries such as healthcare, retail, and media, Saldaña Cruz is well-positioned to help elevate South Texas’s visibility as a strategic destination for business growth.