Meet Our Team
Staff, Board & Committees
Meet the passionate, experienced team shaping downtown’s future.
Downtown Austin Alliance Staff
The Downtown Austin Alliance team includes experts in urban planning, policymaking, research, advocacy, programming, communications and operations and maintenance. Our team members have built deep relationships with local leaders and a reputation for bringing people together to achieve positive results for downtown. They also regularly collaborate with downtown leaders in other cities across the U.S. and internationally.
Downtown Austin Alliance Board
Our volunteer Board of Directors is composed of downtown property owners, business leaders, community leaders and residents. They play a critical role in shaping the Downtown Austin Alliance’s strategic plan and leading us into the future. We’re thankful for their service and dedication to making Downtown Austin a place for all.
Property Directors
Janis Daemmrich, Daemmrich Photography
Bill Fielding, Resident/Owner
Michael Girard, Girard Diversified Investments
Tyler Grooms, Manifold Real Estate
Perry Horton, Horton Real Estate Partners
Will Jenkins, Stonelake Capital Partners
Seth Johnston, Lincoln Properties
Michael McGlashan, Karlin Real Estate
Chinna Natesan, White Swan Investments
Richard Paddock, HPI Real Estate
Joe Pagone, White Lodging
Julia Taylor, Moore & Associates
Mark Terry, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association
Business/Community Directors
Julio Carrillo, Parkhill
Jeff Howard*, McLean & Howard
Ashley Kegley-Whitehead, Infinity Water Solutions
Nick Moulinet, DPR Construction
SaulPaul, Artist/Musician
Chris Randazzo, Garza EMC
Steve Scheibal, New West Communications
Sheryl Sculley, Downtown Resident
Jim Susman, STG Design
* = Immediate Past Chair
Advisory Council Members
- Bob Barnes, IBC Bank
- Charles Heimsath, Capitol Market Research
- Jim Ritts, Austin Theatre Alliance
- Mayor Kirk Watson
- Nikelle Meade, Husch Blackwell
- Sania Shifferd, Arcadis
- Tim Hendricks, Cousins Properties
Downtown Austin Alliance Committees
Our Executive, Finance and Governance Committees are standing committees of the Downtown Austin Alliance board that keep our organization running effectively.
Our programmatic committees (Active Urbanism, Built Environment, Mobility and Public Space Experience) are made up of board members and community members who bring diverse expertise, perspectives and experience to help advance our Strategic Plan. Thank you all for your service to downtown.
Interested in lending your expertise on a downtown committee?
The application period for 2023-2025 committee service has closed, but we are always taking applications for future service. We may consider your application earlier if openings become available.
Our Committees
Active Urbanism Committee
Our Active Urbanism Committee includes artists and creatives, landscape architects, and experts in parks and plazas, participatory engagement, heritage and history, public art, music, retail, placemaking and storytelling.
- Nick Moulinet, Chair
- Andy Austin
- Rachel Blair
- Adrienne Brown
- Kevin Brown
- Janis Daemmrich
- Michael Girard
- Heather Hart Potts
- Albi Hasku
- Dan Jefferson
- Ashley Kegley-Whitehead
- Martin Nembhard
- Lindsay Palmer
- SaulPaul
- Xavier Peña
- Marissa Rivera
- Eric Schultz
- Rebecca Senchak
- Sania Shifferd
Built Environment Committee
Our Built Environment Committee includes experts in public-private partnerships, architecture and urban design, urban housing, preservation, and downtown development, construction and the land development code.
- Jim Susman, Chair
- Elysse Delia Alvarado
- Meredith Bossin
- Julio Carillo, AICP, LEED AP ND
- Jerry Frey
- Tyler Grooms
- Charles Heimsath
- Will Jenkins
- David Kahn
- Adrianne Kartachak
- Patrick McDonnell
- Nikelle Meade
- Stephen Mery
- Charles Peveto
- Chris Randazzo
- John Rigdon
- Brad Stein
- Aaron Vollmer
- Jen Weaver
Executive Committee
- Whitney Knight, Chair
- Kevin Brown, Vice Chair
- Joshua Garza, Treasurer
- Xavier Peña, Secretary
- Jeff Howard, Past Chair*
- Dewitt Peart, CEO & President*
- * = Ex-Officio
Finance Committee
- Joshua Garza, Chair
- Bob Barnes
- Janis Daemmrich
- Larry Graham
- Tyler Grooms
- SaulPaul
Governance Committee
- Kevin Brown, Chair
- Jeff Howard
- Whitney Knight
- Nikelle Meade
- Steve Scheibal
- Sania Shifferd
- Julia Taylor
- Mark Terry
Mobility Committee
Our Mobility Committee includes experts in mobility user access and experience, multi-modal transportation, local/state/federal advocacy, parking, construction mitigation, and the mobility needs of downtown employees, tourists and residents.
- Jeff Howard, Chair
- David Bodenman
- Sam Ergina
- Megan Frey
- Sean Garretson
- Seth Johnston
- Lela Lerner
- Kimberly Levinson
- Bill McCamley
- Michael McGlashan
- Paul Sarahan
- Steve Scheibal
- Tim Simon
- Lonny Stern
- Tim Sullivan
- Mike Trimble
- Dianne Wanyama
Public Space Experience Committee
Our Public Space Experience Committee includes experts in homelessness, social service delivery, hospitality, public safety, social service systems, beautification, and activation of public spaces as a strategy to enhance perceptions of safety.
- Sheryl Sculley, Chair
- Linda Atkins
- Bob Barnes
- Bill Fielding
- Joshua Garza
- Larry Graham
- Nate Hardesty
- Perry Horton
- Richard Paddock
- Jo Kathryn Quinn
- Kirby Roundtree
- Joel Sher
- Marcus Snow
- Anne Swift
- Mark Terry