Big moves are shaking up city administration in Texas, as two high-ranking Dallas officials pack up to join their former city manager in Austin. According to a memo from T.C. Broadnax acquired by the Austin American Statesman, Jon Fortune will be stepping into the deputy city manager's shoes, while Genesis D. Gavino will take on the role of special assistant to the city manager.
Fresh off his Dallas gig, Broadnax has already roped in seasoned execs for the Austin team. Following his lead, the newly-minted Austin deputy city manager Fortune, who before hanging his hat in Dallas served in Denton for a stretch of 17 years, is set to take his post on June 10. Gavino, swinging from her role as the chief of staff in Dallas, is slated to join the ranks in Austin on June 3, as CBS Austin reports.
Jon Fortune, as deputy city manager in Dallas, has clocked time overseeing crucial services such as the police and fire departments, and integrated public safety solutions. His new Austin role is described by Broadnax as central to the city's operational heartbeat, stepping in as "Chief Operating Officer, assuming critical responsibilities in the absence of the City Manager" and will serve to align the city's departments and strategies reported by Austin American Statesman.
Michele Gonzalez, a spokesperson for Austin, explained the deputy city manager position has been waiting with bated breath, vacant during interim City Manager Jesús Garza's time. Meanwhile, Gavino's freshly minted role is pegged as pivotal for driving organizational change, according to Broadnax, "to withstand and adapt to various challenges while leveraging the strengths of anchor institutions to catalyze positive change."
As the two officials transition into their new roles, the focus on accountability and equity in service looms large in Broadnax's agenda. He's been quoted championing a balanced approach to law enforcement, stating, "support for law enforcement is important, but also holding them accountable for protecting and serving at the same time," in his interview with CBS Austin during the Austin job search.
Genesis Gavino, while at Dallas, had her hands on the city's resilient strategies, working to bridge digital divides and coordinate initiatives centered around equity. Bringing this experience to Austin, her role promises to underline Broadnax's vision for a city that's not just bouncing back but forging ahead with inclusive growth.
In Dallas, the interim city manager signaled new appointments to come this week, aiming to refill the spots left by Broadnax's departure and his subsequent recruitment of Fortune and Gavino. As the leadership transition unfolds, Austin's city management brace for the new additions' imminent impact on local governance and initiatives.
