Austin’s city manager recruits executive team from Dallas

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s new city manager is recruiting for top management positions in a familiar place: his old Dallas office.

In a memo to Mayor Kirk Watson and the Austin City Council, City Manager TC Broadnax, who previously served as Dallas city manager, announced two appointments to his leadership team this week. The two positions he held were deputy mayor and special assistant to the mayor.

Broadnax hires Jon Fortune to become his right-hand man and serve as deputy city manager, with which he is well acquainted. Fortune most recently served as deputy city manager and deputy city manager for public safety under Broadnax for the city of Dallas, beginning in 2017.

Fortune previously served in numerous positions with the City of Denton from 1991 to 2017, including 17 years as Assistant City Manager.

“As deputy city manager, Jon Fortune will serve as chief operating officer, assuming key responsibilities in the city manager’s absence, and will oversee the management and direction of city departments and organization-wide initiatives to help ensure necessary alignment,” Broadnax wrote in his memo.

Genesis D. Gavino, who previously served as chief of staff and resiliency specialist for the city of Dallas, will fill the position of special assistant to the city manager.

“As special assistant to City Manager Genesis D. Gavino, he will play a key role in driving organizational change and advancing Austin’s prosperity through strategic initiatives and partnerships,” the memo reads. “This position provides the opportunity to develop forward-looking strategies that enhance the city’s ability to withstand and adapt to various challenges, while leveraging the strengths of its core institutions to catalyze positive change.”

Broadnax said in the memo that Fortune’s start date would be June 10 and Gavino’s would be June 3.

Broadnax stepped down as Dallas city manager earlier this year after conflicts between him, the mayor and some members of the Dallas City Council. He originally planned to stay in the position until June 3, but left early after accepting a new job in Austin with a May 6 start date.

Broadnax’s contract, unanimously approved by the City Council, called for his base salary at about $470,000.