Michael "Mac" Cummins is officially on deck to run Austin Economic Development, with city officials saying he will step into the director’s job on July 27, 2026. The longtime planner and community development veteran brings more than 20 years of municipal experience and will be charged with recruiting new employers, backing homegrown businesses, and trying to keep Austin’s growth at least somewhat equitable as the boom times roll on. His hiring lands at a moment when City Hall is trying to get more strategic about chasing big projects while also managing redevelopment pressure in fast-changing neighborhoods.
The City of Austin formally announced the appointment on June 16 and said Cummins will "officially begin his role on July 27, 2026," according to the City of Austin. In that release, Assistant City Manager Dr. Eric A. Johnson said Cummins’ track record aligns with the city’s economic ambitions and praised what he will bring to the role. "We are excited about Mac’s diverse experience in economic development and the energy he will bring to the City of Austin," Johnson said.
The hire followed a nationwide search handled by executive recruiter Mosaic Public Partners. Resume materials reviewed by local reporters show Cummins emerged as one of eight recommended candidates in April, according to Community Impact. Austin Economic Development and the city’s human resources staff declined to release a starting salary as of press time, the outlet reported. Community Impact also pointed to department pay records showing the deputy director currently makes $195,770, while the last full-time director was paid $209,248 in fiscal year 2024–25.
Recruitment Costs and Transparency
For anyone wondering what a national talent hunt runs these days, Austin’s vendor checkbook offers a ballpark. Mosaic Public Partners has received about $390,998.82 from the city since September 2023, with $277,617.72 listed under employee recruiting and $113,381.10 categorized as other services, according to Austin Finance Online. The numbers highlight how much the city has leaned on outside search firms to fill top posts in recent years, especially for high-profile hires like this one.
Career Highlights and Priorities
Cummins most recently served as CEO of the Reston Association in Fairfax County, Virginia. Before that, he led community development efforts in Bellevue, Washington, and previously held planning roles in Westminster, Scottsdale and Seal Beach, according to reporting and public records. In his application materials, he framed economic recruitment as an effort built on community identity and "pride of place" and wrote that cities need to line up their regulatory and policy work to "facilitate the smart growth that the community wants to see," according to Community Impact. Local coverage in Reston also notes that he resigned as Reston Association CEO earlier this year, per Patch.
The city says it will formally introduce Cummins to business and community stakeholders after his July 27 start date. In the meantime, Austin Economic Development will keep working on its core portfolio, including business recruitment, small-business assistance and workforce development programs. Details on those efforts and upcoming events are available through Austin Economic Development.
