About Us
Contact Information
City of North Richland Hills
Economic Development Department
4301 City Point Drive
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Phone: 817-427-6090
Fax: 817-427-6099
Email North Richland Hills
Craig Hulse, CEcD
Director of Economic Development
Phone: 817-427-6091
Email Craig Hulse
Craig has over 25 years of experience across both public and private sectors, holding a Master of Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach and an Advanced Degree from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
While pursuing his graduate education in the early 90's, he held posts at the City of Garden Grove, CA and the Orange County Transportation Authority. In 1998 he left the public sector to work for Verizon, leading him toward Texas to market the company’s ‘Fiber To The Premise’ network. Since joining the City in 2008, his current focus is on the development and implementation of plans, strategies, and agreements that facilitate the economic growth and well-being of the community.
A Certified Economic Developer, his memberships include Texas Economic Development Council, International Economic Development Council, International Council of Shopping Centers, DFW Marketing Team, Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce and the Northeast Leadership Forum.
Craig lives in North Richland Hills and is surrounded by 3 females, his wife and two daughters. If not at home or work, he can be usually found in the rough at Iron Horse Golf Course or getting coffee at one of the City’s 3 QuikTrips or 3 RaceTracs.
Elizabeth Copeland
Economic Development Analyst
Phone: 817-427-6093
Email Elizabeth Copeland
Elizabeth brings over 15 years of marketing experience in both the private and public sectors to the Economic Development department. She holds a B.S. in Advertising with a minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin.
Born and raised in North Richland Hills, Elizabeth graduated from Richland High School and has strong ties to the City. Upon finishing college, she launched her career as a Business Analyst and Marketing Manager in the digital sphere, handling marketing for various clients including SBCYahoo!, Blockbuster, and Pizza Inn. She eventually found her way back to North Richland Hills where she worked as the Marketing Specialist for NRH2O Family Water Park for six years before taking a hiatus from the City to take on her most exciting development project – her two children. In 2016, Elizabeth returned to the City, this time, in Economic Development. Her focus is to provide professional level support to all those the department serves with a concentration on research, analysis, and marketing.
When she isn’t at a youth sporting event or spending time with her husband and kids, you’ll find Elizabeth enjoying salsa at a local Mexican restaurant or walking the aisles of one of the City's two Home Depot stores, planning her next home improvement project.
Kelly Vaughn
Economic Development Assistant
Phone: 817-427-6092
Email Kelly Vaughn
Kelly grew up in North Richland Hills. She graduated from Fort Worth Christian High School and received her degree in Communication from Abilene Christian University. After spending almost 10 years in Benin, West Africa as a missionary, she and her family have made North Richland Hills their home.
Kelly’s career included years working in the field of adoption with birth parents and adoptive parents and then more recently 13 years in customer service working in the family business, Jeffrey’s Automotive. Kelly is an avid learner and compassionate listener and genuinely cares about people and she seems to know just about everyone in town. It is common for Craig to be introducing her to someone and for that person to say, “I know her.” And Craig will usually follow up with a smile and say, “of course you do!” You will hear her voice when you call our office and see her welcome you if you come though our doors. She daily assists Craig and Elizabeth with all things Economic Development.
When Kelly is not in the office she is often travelling out of state, packing a lot of life into some fun experience with her family or friends or she has a book in her hands and is intensely reading ! Kelly and her husband Randy are empty nesters and live in North Richland Hills. They have 4 adult children that keep their lives and hearts full.