International Economic Development Manager
City of Austin
Ben Ramirez is responsible for the City of Austin’s governmental initiatives for projects involving international economic development and foreign direct investment. His duties include creating, coordinating and managing the City of Austin’s global economic development strategic plan with division staff and partner organizations. This strategic plan received a Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award in the category of Responding to Globalization from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2013. Drawing from professional experience earned in the public and private sectors, Ben has assisted international business expansion efforts in the North American Free Trade Agreement region and around the world. Ben has a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Michigan, and a JD from the University of Toledo. He is an associate member of the Texas Camino Real District Export Council; a board member of CleanTX and the Austin Latino Music Association; Secretary of the Board for Central Texas Foreign Trade Zone #183; external advisory board member of the Center for European Studies; and Vice President of the World Affairs Council of Austin.
