2023 Austin Council Staff Picks
Mayor Kirk Watson
Most recently served as Chief of Staff to Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce CEO Laura Huffman. Previously served as Director of Philanthropy Operations at The Nature Conservancy.
Barbara Shack, Executive Assistant
Continues the role she served under Mayor Steve Adler’s 8 years in office.
Alexis Garcia, Constituent Liason
Most recently served a Director of Regional & Local Policy with the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
Max Lars, Policy Strategist
Most recently served as Mayor Watson’s campaign manager. He previously served as Chief of Staff to Rep. John Bucy.
Kate Alexander, Policy & Communications Strategist,
Most recently served as Director of Special Projects at the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. Previously worked as Deputy Chief of Policy and Communications at the Travis Central Appraisal District. Prior to that she served as Policy Director for then State Senator Watson.
Joe Cascino, Assistant to the Mayor
Most recently was a partner in political consulting firm Genco Strategies. He ran Watson’s field operations in the runoff and managed Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez’s razor-thin reelection over Susanna Ledesma-Woody last spring.
Mark Littlefield, Special Assistant to the Mayor
Owner of Littlefield Consulting, a longtime pollster and political consultant.
Rebecca Szeto, Communications specialist
Most recently served as Social Media Manager at the LBJ Foundation and LBJ Presidential Library.
Council Member Vanessa Fuentes - District 2
Jason Lopez, Chief of Staff
Most recently served as Policy Adviser to departing Council Member Ann Kitchen (District 5).
Council Member José Velásquez - District 3
Lizette Melendez, Chief of Staff
Served as a Constituent Liaison and Policy Advisor (from November 2015 to February 2021) to Council Member Pio Renteria.
Most recently served as Policy Advisor to departing Council Member Pio Renteria (District 3) covering transportation, land use, public safety, animal services, and code enforcement.
Dora Anguiano, Constituent Liaison
Most recently served as Constituent Liason to departing Council Member Anne Kitchen (District 5).
Council Member Ryan Alter - District 5
Most recently a candidate for Austin's District 9. Prior Policy Advisor to Council Member Chris Riley.
Michael McGill, Policy Advisor
Most recently Senior Policy Advisor to Mayor Steve Adler (since Jan. 2018). Michael has been with the city since 2011, where he served as Chief of Staff for the Council Member Sheryl Cole.
Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri - District 9
Sara previously served as Chief of Staff to Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes (District 2). She also served as Legislative Director to State Rep. Julie Johnson in the 87th Texas legislative session.
Natalie Deller, Policy Advisor
Natalie most recently served as Policy Advisor to Council Member Leslie Pool (District 7) covering land use matters. She is also a former Bingham Group intern.
Melissa Beeler, Policy Advisor
Most recently served as a Transportation Justice Coordinator for Air Alliance Houston. She also has been a Transportation Planner at the City of Houston.
Caleb Pritchard, Communications and Policy Advisor
Most recently served in a similar role to Council Member Natasha-Harper Madison (D1).
Parisa Mahmud, Constituent Liason
Most recently oversaw communications for Celia Israel’s mayoral campaign.