FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024
ROCKWALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HONORS LOCAL EMPLOYERS AT ANNUAL EXECUTIVE APPRECIATION EVENT
ROCKWALL, Texas – The Rockwall Economic Development Corporation (REDC) hosted its annual Executive Appreciation Event on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at X-Golf Rockwall. REDC hosted c-suite executives from Rockwall’s primary employers, along with City staff, City Council, and ambassadors of the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce. The networking event allowed local primary employers to interact with one another and with City administration and officials. As the highlight for the event, the REDC presented two companies with awards.
Pegasus Foods, a national frozen food manufacturer, was awarded the “Good Neighbor Award” for employee contributions to two local charities in 2023. Pegasus employees volunteered at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid in Mesquite, building off of a previous company-wide shoe drive by helping sort and pack shoes that would be distributed to needy families all over the globe. Additionally, volunteer efforts occurred at Our Calling, a faith-based resource center for the homeless located in Dallas. Pegasus employees cooked, served meals, sorted donations and offered other various forms of assistance for those in need.
Integrated Defense Products (IDP) was awarded the “Economic Impact Award.” In late 2023, IDP opened their 21,000 SF facility at the intersection of Innovation Drive and SH-276 within the Rockwall Technology Park. The machine shop – specializing in the manufacturing of parts for the defense, firearm, and aerospace industries, among others – relocated to Rockwall from their previous location in Oxnard, California. The move, spearheaded by IDP President and CEO Brandon Buschold due to the cultural fit of Rockwall, brought the entire Buschold family to the community as well as other key personnel. IDP is estimated to have over $7M of taxable value when factoring in the value of the building and equipment, which will be one of the highest ratios of taxable value per acre in the Technology Park. Further, the company is ramping up operations in their efforts to employ approximately 40 individuals.
“We are honored to recognize these two fantastic companies and are so proud that they have each made the intentional decision to call Rockwall home,” said Phil Wagner, REDC President. “Pegasus Foods has an organizational culture that many companies should strive to emulate. As for IDP, their recent investment in Rockwall shows that you don’t have to be the largest company to make a significant impact.”
Pictured from left to right: Phil Wagner (REDC President), Barry Street (Pegasus Foods CEO), and Matt Wavering (REDC Vice President)
Pictured from left to right: Phil Wagner (REDC President), Brandon Buschold (IDP President and CEO) and Matt Wavering (REDC Vice President)
About Rockwall Economic Development Corporation
Since 1996, the Rockwall EDC has actively worked to retain, expand, and recruit industry to Rockwall. The mission of the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation is to retain, grow, and attract new business investment to ensure a sustainable and diversified tax base for Rockwall. For more information about the Rockwall EDC, call (972) 772-0025 or visit www.RockwallEDC.com.
