Texas Research Alliance leader joins Abbott's quantum advisory committee

Texas Research Alliance Executive Director Victor Fishman has been appointed to Governor Greg Abbott’s Texas Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee, giving North Texas a direct role in shaping the state’s quantum strategy. The move aligns with TRA’s push to position Dallas-Fort Worth as a major hub for quantum adoption, with a regional economic vision that TRA says could reach $17 billion by 2040.

Why it matters: - Victor Fishman’s appointment gives North Texas a seat in state-level decisions on quantum computing, workforce development, commercialization and economic growth. - The role could help steer Texas policy and investment toward industries where North Texas already has an advantage, including telecom, defense, logistics, healthcare, financial services, aerospace, manufacturing and energy. - TRA says its regional quantum strategy could support tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and grow quantum-related economic activity to an estimated $17 billion by 2040.

What happened: - Texas Research Alliance announced on June 1, 2026 that Executive Director Victor Fishman, Ph.D., was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. - The committee is a statewide body focused on building Texas’ quantum leadership strategy. - Fishman is the only appointee representing a regional economic development organization.

The details: - The advisory committee will help shape state priorities around quantum computing, workforce development, commercialization and broader economic growth. - TRA said the appointment brings North Texas industry perspective into the policy discussion as Texas competes with other states for talent, investment and leadership in quantum. - Texas is leaning on strengths in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, financial services, energy, healthcare, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. - TRA’s North Texas Quantum Economy Initiative is designed to make Dallas-Fort Worth the nation’s leading hub for applied quantum adoption. - The NTQEI Blueprint says quantum adoption could generate more than $8 billion annually for the North Texas economy. - The blueprint projects that figure could rise to $17 billion by 2040. - Fishman said Texas can lead by deploying quantum solutions first, best and at scale rather than by building the computers themselves. - Fishman said the appointment could help Texas accelerate adoption, strengthen competitiveness, promote research and position the state as the national leader in the quantum economy. - Tien-An Nguyen, chief technology officer at ORCA Computing, said TRA’s work connecting industry to practical quantum adoption will help determine which regions lead in the quantum economy. - Nguyen said ORCA Computing looks forward to supporting North Texas as the region builds that capability. - TRA says its approach differs from initiatives centered mainly on research or hardware development. - TRA is focusing on practical deployment across North Texas industries with existing competitive strengths. - Fishman said North Texas has the industrial base, talent, Tier 1 research universities and collaborative ecosystem to lead the transition from invention to adoption. - Fishman holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin. - Fishman serves on the boards of the Dallas Innovation Alliance and North Texas Innovation Alliance. - Fishman is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association and is a U.S. Army veteran.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals that Texas is treating quantum as an economic development issue, not just a research race. - TRA is trying to make North Texas the place where quantum tools get used by businesses first, which could matter more economically than where the technology is invented. - The state committee and the regional initiative appear aligned around the same goal: turning quantum into jobs, investment and industry adoption.

What’s next: - TRA will keep advancing its regional quantum plan through the Quantum for the C-Suite Summit on Sept. 9, 2026. - The summit will bring together business executives, policymakers, researchers and technology leaders to discuss practical paths to quantum adoption and economic growth. - The advisory committee is expected to help shape Texas’ quantum policy and investment direction as the state builds its strategy.

The bottom line: - North Texas now has a direct voice in Texas’ quantum planning, and TRA is betting that business adoption, not just lab breakthroughs, will determine the winners in the quantum economy.