ABOUT THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE
About Secretary of State Phil Wilson
As the 106th Secretary of State, Phil Wilson is one of six state officials to form the Executive Department of the State of Texas in accordance with the Texas Constitution. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry and sworn in on July 1, 2007.
As Secretary of State, Mr. Wilson is the chief elections officer for the state, chief international protocol officer for Texas, maintains business and public filings, and acts as the Governor’s chief liaison on border and Mexico affairs.
Previously, Secretary Wilson was responsible for Texas’ economic development and job creation initiatives as Governor Perry’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Wilson also served as the governor’s official designee on the $200 million Emerging Technology Fund and the $185 million Texas Enterprise Fund. Under his leadership, Texas leveraged more than $10 billion in capital investment to create more than 45,000 new jobs.
Secretary Wilson was influential in landing one of the largest job creation projects in the country with Countrywide Financial’s decision to create 7,500 jobs in Texas; additionally, he helped secure one of the largest capital investments in the state’s history with Samsung’s recent investment in Austin. Wilson will continue oversight of these programs as Secretary of State, leading efforts to bring more investment, jobs and economic growth to Texas.
A native of Brownwood, Texas, Wilson has a long, distinguished career in Texas government, serving in key advisory roles for three statewide elected officials. Wilson spent more than 10 years as a key aide to U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, serving as an East Texas Director based in Tyler and later as State Director in Dallas. Additionally, he was Director of Communications for Railroad Commissioner Charles Matthews. In 2002, Wilson was named Director of Communications for Governor Perry, where he was responsible for development and management of the governor’s message and media strategy.
In his new role, Secretary Wilson is committed to fair elections, increasing voter registration and participation, promoting a vibrant Texas economy, and fostering strategic relationships between Texas and the international community.
Secretary Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and a Master’s of Business Administration from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Hardin-Simmons University.
Secretary Wilson and his wife, Kristen, live in Austin and are active members of Hill Country Bible Church.