Leadership Houston announced yesterday the selection of Rene Cantu as its new executive Director. Cantu will be responsible for leading organizational fundraising activities, management of staff and community outreach in 2011. He begins in his new role effective January 17, 2011.

Cantu, a Leadership Houston Class XXVI graduate, brings 11 years of non-profit management and marketing experience to this position along with four years of experience serving as a Leadership Houston board member. His impressive professional background, track record for success and intimate working knowledge of Leadership Houston make him the ideal candidate to serve as Executive Director.

Most recently, Cantu served as the Vice President for Programs and Services and as Director of Communications with the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where he managed communication and was instrumental in the chamber's efforts to establish a foundation. He has held management positions with the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance. A graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi Class XX, Cantu also managed the Leadership Program while working for the local chamber.

Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Cantu holds his BA degree from Yale University. His community involvement includes serving on boards for the Education Service Center- Region 2, the Corpus Christi Minority Business Opportunity Center and the Houston Yale Alumni Schools Committee.