New Leaders Leveraging Connectivity, Collaboration, and Community

Tom Woody joins the Royse City CDC as Executive Director; Richard Pense joins as Director of Operations

The Royse City Community Development Corporation (CDC) welcomes Tom Woody as Executive Director and Richard Pense as Director of Operations. Both leaders joined the organization in August and have begun strengthening community relationships and looking ahead to potential growth opportunities in the next year.

Executive Director Woody (pictured below - right) joins the CDC after 25 years in the technology and telecommunications industries, most recently serving as Chief Technical Officer at Community Internet Providers (now Point Broadband), a local internet service provider in Willis Point, TX. Throughout his tenure spanning over a decade, Woody expanded broadband access, improved the user experience, and implemented advanced network technologies to better serve local residents and businesses. Woody aims to deliver balanced and sustainable growth, fostering a diversified and future-ready economy.

Director of Operations Pense (pictured below - left) has proudly served the Royse City community for over two decades and has been involved with the CDC since 2012, serving as Board President in his final term. A longtime educator and Royse City resident since 1999, Pense moves into the operational side of the CDC, where he can directly support local growth, attract quality development, and retain businesses aligned with the city’s values and long-term vision. “We want Royse City to remain a vibrant, family-oriented community,” Pense says, “a place where businesses thrive, residents are proud to live, and families can build their futures.”

 

 

The Royse City Advantage

Woody and Pense are excited to work in a city with a strong sense of community, but they’re especially drawn to the advantages offered by its strategic location and rapid growth. Proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area along Interstate 30 and a rapidly growing population make it an ideal location for both residents and businesses. With smart investment and careful planning, these assets can help turn Royse City into a dynamic economic hub.

Part of that investment is in education and workforce development. The city’s school district continues to excel, with its math and reading proficiency levels and a graduation rate of 95 percent surpassing state averages. The resultant, sufficiently prepared students are a reliable pipeline of local talent for tomorrow’s workforce.

“It’s an opportunity to bring people, ideas, and resources together to create lasting value,” Woody says. “Economic development is about more than just business — it’s about building communities.”

Looking Ahead

Both Woody and Pense believe that Royse City can look forward to more commercial opportunities in the coming year. While strengthening relationships with existing businesses, Woody wants to enhance the city’s digital and marketing presence and lay the groundwork for new commercial and industrial growth. Pense envisions new restaurants, entertainment districts, grocery stores, and retail spaces that will serve residents and attract visitors traveling along I-30.

Over the next three years, they anticipate continued development and expansion of these retail, dining, and entertainment options along I-30. Additionally, they expect growth in the light-industrial and technology-related sectors, including partnerships that support advanced data and logistics. All of the aforementioned will be bolstered by increased collaboration with regional partners to support workforce training and infrastructure improvements to ensure the city and new business exist in harmony. “Each of these projects will help create new jobs, enhance local amenities, and contribute to a sustainable and balanced economy for our community,” says Pense.

No matter the level of change, maintaining the city’s hometown, historic atmosphere is imperative. “Long term, my vision is for Royse City to be recognized as a regional destination for business, innovation, entertainment, and community living,” Woody says, “a place where opportunity thrives, and the city’s small-town character remains at the heart of its success.”

Want to be a part of Royse City’s future? Head on over to the CDC’s website for more information and to get involved.