Austin Announces Economic Development Department Director Finalists

Following an extensive recruiting process, the City of Austin announced the three candidates who are considered finalists for the Economic Development Department Director on Friday, May 10.

The finalists are Veronica Briseño, Al Latimer, and Larry Westerlund.

“The finalists are exceptionally talented professionals,” said Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales. “All three have a wealth of skills and experiences strongly aligned with the Economic Development Director profile developed by internal and external stakeholders.”

Finalist bios and photos:

Veronica Briseño

Veronica Briseño has served the City of Austin, TX in various roles since 1998.  Currently, she serves as the Interim Homeless Strategy Officer coordinating the City’s homeless response activities with multiple departments. 

Prior to this role, Veronica has served in multiple roles within the Small and Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) to include Director, Assistant Director, and Administrative Manager. Veronica has also served the City of Austin in the office of former Council Member Raul Alvarez and in the City Manager’s Office.

Veronica holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin in addition to a Bachelors of Arts degrees in Government and Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. 
 
Veronica is the immediate Past President for the Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN).  She is the Co-Founder and Vice Chair for “Woman to Woman,” a City of Austin Affinity Organization, and she is a member of the Texas City Management Association (TCMA).

Al Latimer

Al Latimer most recently served as the Director of the Office of Economic Vitality, a consolidated agency for the City of Tallahassee and Leon County, Florida.

Prior to this role, he worked as a Senior Vice President for Enterprise, FL, the state’s principal job creation agency, in Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs and Investor Relations.

Additional roles Al has served in include the Vice President, Government Relations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce in Tallahassee, FL, the Executive Director for the Jacksonville Sports Development Authority in Jacksonville, FL, and the Regional Director of the Governor’s Council on Fitness & Sports in Gainesville, FL.

Al holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business. Al also spent five years in the NFL as a defensive back with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and the Detroit Lions.