AUSTIN, Texas—The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce announced that its board of directors has selected Brian Cassidy, managing partner of the Locke Lord law firm Austin's office, as the Chamber’s 2019 chair of the board. The board also selected Craig Enoch, former Texas Supreme Court Justice, as the Chamber’s chair-elect.

“It has been a pleasure to serve as the Austin Chamber of Commerce Board Chair for these past 12 months," said 2018 Austin Chamber Board Chairman Phil Wilson. "I am proud of the accomplishments of our community in 2018, especially the work we’ve done to create and attract new jobs to Austin and implement smart public policy that will improve the lives of the two million people that live in our region. I know the Chamber will be in the most capable hands in 2019 under the leadership of our incoming Chairman Brian Cassidy. The Austin Chamber of Commerce will continue to benefit the entire region and I look forward to seeing what awaits us in 2019. I give my most heartfelt thanks to the community for entrusting me with such an important and fulfilling role.”

In 2018, Cassidy served as the Chamber’s chair-elect.

“It is an honor to be assuming the role as chairman," said Cassidy. "I want to thank outgoing Chair Phil Wilson for his outstanding leadership and service to the community. As we move into an important year for the Austin region and the State of Texas, there are many opportunities for us to continue the success we’ve had in stimulating and growing the economy through generating and attracting new jobs that help people in our region gain economic stability and prosperity. The vice chairs who have been selected as volunteer leaders for the Chamber represent a diverse swath of industries and backgrounds and their contributions will be crucial as we navigate the 2019 Texas legislative session and look to set Austin on a path for continued economic growth. We’ll look to be collaborative with our elected leaders to address the pressing needs our region faces especially when it comes to affordability and transportation. My goal is to hand over to our 2020 Chair-elect Craig Enoch a Chamber that has accomplished our legislative and job growth goals so we can better serve the business community and people who call Central Texas home.”

As 2019 chair-elect, Craig Enoch will serve as chairman of the board in 2020.

“I want to thank Phil Wilson for his outstanding leadership and service as our chair and offer my support to Brian Cassidy as he assumes the chairmanship in what promises to be an important and consequential year,” said Enoch. “I’m honored to have been selected as chair for 2020 and look forward to continuing the great work the Chamber has done generating jobs, investing in education, and helping the two million people who live in, and those who arrive in, our community find good jobs, are able to provide for their families, and enjoy our outstanding community.”

Additionally, the Chamber announced its incoming executive committee.

• Immediate Past Chair - Phil Wilson, LCRA
• Opportunity Austin Chair - Gary Farmer, Heritage Title Company of Austin
• General Council - Pam Madere, Jackson Walker
• Vice Chair Customer Experience - Stacy Armijo, Amplify Credit Union
• Vice Chair Local Advocacy - Mason Ayer, Kerbey Lane Cafes
• Vice Chair Programs and Partnerships - Jeremiah Bentley, Texas Mutual Insurance Company
• Chair Austin Gives - Denise Bradley, St. David's HealthCare
• Vice Chair Talent & Workforce - Cynthea Rhodes-Patterson, Home Depot Technology
• Vice Chair Council of Small Enterprises - Rudy Garza, Garza EMC
• Vice Chair Regional Mobility - Fred Heldenfels, Heldenfels Enterprises
• Vice Chair Education - Nikki Graham, Bank of America
• Vice Chair Communications - Kristie Gonzales, KVUE-TV
• Vice Chair Federal Advocacy - Jay Fox, Baylor Scott & White Health
• Vice Chair State Advocacy - Rex Gore, PJS
• Vice Chair Finance - Steve Knebel, Maxwell Locke & Ritter
• Vice Chair Technology & Innovation - Ellen Wood, vcfo
• Member at Large - Jason Kelley, IBM
• Member at Large - Darrell Bazzell, University of Texas at Austin
• Member at Large - Patrick Rhode, Cintra

ABOUT C. BRIAN CASSIDY
C. Brian Cassidy has been an active leader in Central Texas for several years. He is a past-chair of the Real Estate Council of Austin and remains a current board and executive committee member of that group. He is also a member of the Austin Area Research Organization. In addition, Brian is a past board member and general counsel of the Chamber of Commerce and has served on Chamber Finance and Transportation Committees. His legal practice focuses on the development of transportation and utility infrastructure by public and private entities. He advises clients on complex procurements, public private partnerships, regulatory compliance, and all aspects of the planning, design, financing, operation and approvals required for major infrastructure projects. He has been involved in the development of toll roads and non-tolled highways throughout Texas. Cassidy earned his law degree with honors from the University of Texas in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of Arizona.

Cassidy's headshot is available here.

ABOUT CRAIG T. ENOCH
After retiring from the Texas Supreme Court in 2003, Craig Enoch was a shareholder of Winstead PC before opening Enoch Kever in February 2011. Justice Enoch served over 22 years as a judge on all three levels of state courts: as presiding judge of the 101st District Court, Chief Justice of the State's largest intermediate appellate court, the 5th District Court of Appeals, and as Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He is a former chair of the 1,200-member Appellate Judges Conference of the American Bar Association Judicial Division and continues to serve as president of the Appellate Judge's education arm, the Appellate Judges Education Institute. Justice Enoch holds undergraduate and law school degrees from Southern Methodist University and master of laws degree from the University of Virginia Law School.

Enoch's headshot is available here.