Dallas Fed names regional executives for North Texas, Austin

DALLAS—The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has named two new regional executives whose focus will be deepening relationships with business and community leaders in North Texas and the Austin area to gain greater insight into the economy at the grassroots level.

“Having our eyes and ears closely trained to the diverse corners of our economy is central to effective monetary policy,” said Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan. “The Dallas Fed’s regional executives will strengthen our connections to the leaders in these areas and forge new ones where needed.”

Donald Bowers has been named regional executive for North Texas, and Guhan Venkatu as regional executive for the Austin area.

Previously, Bowers served as vice president and deputy regional executive for the Dallas Fed’s Houston branch. His other roles there have included corporate secretary and advisor to the Houston branch board of directors. He was also responsible for the Dallas Fed’s financial industry outreach efforts. Bowers has been with the Dallas Fed since 1990.

“The North Texas region is one of the fastest growing in the country with an increasingly strong presence of financial institutions,” Bowers said. “There is an opportunity for the Dallas Fed to expand and connect our grassroots network of business leaders and community groups in our home region.”

Venkatu will assume his new role on Feb. 16. In addition to working with business and community leaders in the Austin area, he will also broaden the Bank’s engagement with public officials and the area’s technology industry.

He joins the Dallas Fed from the Cleveland Fed, where he has served as senior principal and senior policy advisor. In addition to presenting analysis of the local economy covered by the Cleveland Fed, he led the regional executive network and regional research group there.

“I look forward to leading the Dallas Fed’s presence in Austin as we expand our engagement with public officials, the technology sector and other stakeholders throughout Central Texas,” Venkatu said.

Bowers and Venkatu round out the five regional executive positions within the Eleventh Federal Reserve District. They will join Roberto Coronado, senior vice president and regional executive in El Paso; Daron Peschel, senior vice president and regional executive in Houston; and Armida Riojas, assistant vice president and regional executive in San Antonio.

For more information, visit the regional executives page.

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Media contact:
James Hoard
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Phone: 214-922-5307
Email: james.hoard@dal.frb.org