City Manager appoints Edwards as Assistant City Manager

For immediate release
July 15, 2008

City Manager Marc Ott announced today that Sue Edwards, who has served in numerous leadership roles with the City of Austin, has accepted an Assistant City Manager's position on his executive team.

Edwards, an Acting Assistant City Manager since May, will continue to oversee the Development/Environment Services group of departments which includes the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office; Neighborhood Planning and Zoning; and Watershed Protection and Development Review.

"Sue Edwards has a proven record of leading major initiatives that have literally changed the landscape of our city," City Manager Ott said. "Having worked closely with Sue over the past few months, I'm impressed with her ability to balance economic and environmental concerns to ensure our continued high quality of life.

"Her historical perspective of City operations is an invaluable asset for the community as well as our executive team," Ott said.

Edwards has provided leadership in several major projects including:

• The redevelopment of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site to a mixed use community of commercial and residential use.
• The development of Block 21, north of Austin City Hall, that will include the Austin City Limits studios as well as office, hotel and living spaces.
• The redevelopment of the former Seaholm Power Plant and surrounding downtown area into an urban mixed-use neighborhood.

Before her current acting assignment, Edwards was director of Economic Growth and Redevelopment for more than seven years.

She has worked with the City of Austin for approximately 25 years, including previous service as an Assistant City Manager in 1984-1985. She is a former director of the Austin-Travis County Health Department and the City of Austin's Emergency Medical Services Department. She also brings more than nine years of private sector experience representing financial institutions and small businesses, as well as providing property tax consulting.

She replaces Laura Huffman who left the City in May to become the State Director of The Nature Conservancy of Texas.

Contact:
Communications and Public Information Office, (512) 974-2220