AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin's interim city manager, Jesus Garza, announced several key leadership changes for city departments Friday, including a new general manager for the city-owned Austin Energy.
“Since returning to this organization in February, I have spent considerable time assessing the strengths of our organization and identified opportunities to reorganize to ensure we are operating cohesively, effectively and efficiently,” Garza said. “I am confident the changes announced today will strengthen the City of Austin as we continually work to improve the services we provide to our residents.”
Bob Kahn will take the reins at Austin Energy. He returns to the City of Austin from his current position as general manager of the Texas Municipal Power Agency - a municipal utility serving Bryan, Denton, Garland, and Greenville. Kahn has previously served as the president and CEO of ERCOT, and several roles at Austin Energy, including deputy general manager, general counsel, and vice president for legal services.
“I’m very excited to return to Austin Energy and look forward to working with the community and the hardworking, dedicated staff at Austin Energy to accomplish the City Council’s goals,” Kahn said.
His first day on the job will be July 3. He takes over the role vacated by Jackie Sargent at the end of March, just weeks after a historic ice storm that wreaked havoc on the utility's distribution system and left thousands of customers without power for several days.
Garza also announced four other appointments across city leadership:
Ken Snipes will take over as director of the city's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management beginning on June 19, from his current position as director of Austin Resource Recovery. Current HSEM director Juan Ortiz is stepping down after six years with the City and 29 years of public service.
"I am honored to have served our community for the last six years. I have offered my full support to the incoming Department Director and to the Austin community to ensure a smooth transition,” said Ortiz. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done at HSEM, and I'm very proud of the team of strong and highly trained emergency managers we’ve developed."
José Roig has been named the permanent director of the city's Development Services Department, after serving as interim director since January 2020.
Michele Middlebrook-Gonzalez will join the city in a new role as Chief Strategic Communications & External Relations Officer, coming from her current role as a communications consultant for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
David Gray, who currently serves as assistant director of the city's Economic Development Department, will "begin a special assignment focused on the broad spectrum of programs, policies and funding the City dedicates to addressing homelessness."
“I thank each of these individuals for their commitment to advancing our organization and look forward to working with them,” Garza said. “I continue to extend a heartfelt thank you to all City of Austin employees for their dedication to our organization and community.”
