Mayor Lee Leffingwell announced his community cabinet this week, fulfilling a campaign promise to be regularly advised by community leaders. Many of the names should be familiar, as they include several City Hall regulars from the fields of business, development, government, education, arts, and social services. The cabinet’s first meeting is planned for September, with quarterly meetings to follow. In his press release, Leffingwell says: “I’m honored and humbled that such a diverse group of community leaders would agree to share their perspective and advice with me and my team. We’re going to make the best use we can of their counsel to benefit the city.”
The Cabinet
Russell Bridges, 3M Corporation
Paul Carrozza, RunTex
Perla Cavazos, former City Council candidate
Raymond Chan, engineer
Danette Chimenti, former president of Austin Neighborhoods Council
Brandi Clark, executive director of Austin EcoNetwork
Cloteal Davis Haynes, contractor
Gary Farmer, president of Heritage Title
Frank Fernandez, executive director of Green Doors
Gus Garcia, former mayor
Jesus Garza, former city manager
Joene Grissom, consultant
Hopeton Hay, manager of UT’s Historically Underutilized Business Technical Assistance Program
Paula Hui, Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Terry Lickona, producer of Austin City Limits
DeWayne Lofton, Texas Association of School Boards risk manager
Perry Lorenz, developer
Annette LoVoi, AISD trustee
Louis Malfaro, president of Education Austin
Susan McDowell, executive director of LifeWorks
Nan McRaven, chair of ACC board
Sylvia Orozco, executive director of Mexic-Arte Museum
Rev. Joseph Parker, David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Susan Rieff, executive director of LBJ Wildflower Center
Cookie Ruiz, executive director of Ballet Austin
Ted Siff, former executive director of Austin Parks Foundation
Fritz Steiner, dean of UT School of Architecture
Eleanor Thompson, community advocate
Michael Whellan, attorney
This article appears in August 28 • 2009.