Board Member Resources

  • The Austin Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is a public, nonprofit, local corporation that serves Austin as a partner in facilitating holistic and collaborative, public-private initiatives to secure inclusive outcomes that strengthen the values of the city. The corporation is governed by a “blue-ribbon” board consisting of 20 voting-members who are nominated by the City and other external agencies in the community.  Each nominating body is asked to provide up to three nominations meeting the description of the subject matter area, qualifications and skill sets for an ideal nominee. The City Council will confirm a single selected candidate by majority vote. Terms for seats are staggered and are scheduled for renewal on an annual or as needed basis to maintain continuity.

    Criteria for Nomination(s):

    • Resident of Austin MSA;

    • Individual holds a strong background, understanding and familiarity of the nominating organization and the community the nominating body serves;

    • Individual possess demonstrable skills and experience in the areas of industry, public/private partnerships, infrastructure or transportation, real estate development or construction, urban/regional planning, historic preservation, finance, creative and music industry, minority and women-owned businesses (MWBE), and/or workforce;

    • Individual understands AEDC’s role in functions such as lease administration, transaction support and public development;

    • Capacity for serving roles on a working board instead of a political role:

    • Three-year term with six meetings per year (minimum) and possible participation in Committee and/or working group meetings;

    • Subsequent terms will be three years and while there is no limit to the number of terms served, no member of the Board is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms.

    These terms were decided by the Board of Directors and included in the Approved Board Member Roles and Responsibilities that Board Members review and sign annually.

    Submissions Process:

    To officially submit the nomination(s) for review and approval, each nominating entity is first asked to provide an official letter addressed to AEDC’s President and CEO, Theresa Alvarez, from the organization’s President/CEO. The nomination(s) can also be provided in the form of a Resolution from the current President/Chair to the governing body of the nominating entity. The letter or Resolution should properly introduce the official nominee(s) and provide a summary of the process for selecting the nominee(s). The letter or Resolution must be accompanied with the following attachments:

    * Once approved as a Board Member by the Austin City Council, each will be required to submit financial statements in the same manner as City appointees to Boards and Commission as listed in City Code Section 2-7-72(C).

    This collective information will accompany the Request for Approval of the Nominations that will be reviewed by the AEDC Board before it is placed on the agenda of an upcoming Austin City Council Meeting. For more discussion or questions please contact David Colligan, Chief Operating Officer of Austin Economic Development Corporation, at david@austinedc.org or (512) 974-6381.

  • Once a Member of the Board of Directors is confirmed by Austin City Council, staff will issue a series of calendar invites for the Board Meetings for the remainder of the Calendar Year. Along with the calendar invitations for future board meetings you will receive a meeting invite to an orientation session that staff will host before you attend your first Board Meeting as a new member.

    In advance of this session, it may be helpful to take a deeper dive into the vision for the organization by referencing the consultant’s report and Recommendations for the creation of AEDC to Mayor and Council. To get a wider perspective and historical context, it may be beneficial to also view the following two webinars hosted through Urban Land Institute before joining the orientation session:

  • The Board of Directors for the Austin Economic Development Corporation meets every other month, beginning on January of the Calendar Year, with Special Called Meetings as needed. Board meeting dates, agendas and supporting information is publicly posted at least 72 hours before the start of each meeting through the City of Austin’s website: Austin Economic Development Corporation | AustinTexas.gov.

    Once a Member of the Board of Directors is confirmed by Austin City Council, staff will issue a series of calendar invites for the Board Meetings for the remainder of the Calendar Year. Please anticipate meeting on the second Wednesday of every other month, from 1:30 to 3:30PM, at the City of Austin’s Permitting and Development Center (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752).

    The Board Meeting agenda and any attached documents will be distributed to the full board and posted to the City’s website each Friday before the coming meeting.

    Texas Open Meetings Act

    All Board Members are required by law to complete Open Meetings Training before joining their first Board meeting. If you already have a certificate, please email a copy to me for our files. If not, please use the following links to watch the training (about one hour), collect your certification and email me a copy of your certificate for our files.

    Attorney General/ TOMA training:

  • During the first Board Meeting of each Calendar Year, staff will lead a review and request Board Members provide the following updated documents, as needed or required by laws governing the organization.