June 2013
| Business World Magazine | 129
The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius once said, “The secret of
all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious.” That
sentiment certainly applies in accounting of the not-so-secret
success of an organization, and the organizational infrastruc-
ture, that has compelled a Texas community to achieve obvious
victories in economic development objectives.
The Texas City of Victoria is situated some 30 miles inland from the Gulf of
Mexico where it graces a seven county region known as “The Golden Cres-
cent.” Due to its proximity to denser populations in Austin, Corpus Christi,
Houston and San Antonio (each respectively directed a mere two-hour or
less drive away) Victoria has been colloquially called “The Crossroads” as it
comprises a retail trade corridor catering to more than 250,000 consumers;
in itself, Victoria’s population is approximately 65,000 people. Historically,
this community emerged from the North America expeditions of French Ex-
plorer La Salle who, in 1688, established a French colony and fortification
known as Fort St. Louis. During the 18th Century, Spain would establish a
mission in this same vicinity; in fact, Victoria is home to St. Mary’s Church,
the second-oldest Roman Catholic denomination in Texas, yet the very first
to be canonically recognized. Victoria is also where the Mexican government
