Future Forum | Oct, 7 2014 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Demographer Ryan Robinson joined us in advance of the November 4th election to discuss the changing face of the city and the significance of the 10-1 plan. This will be the first election cycle that City Council members are elected by geographic district rather than city-wide.
To learn more about the 10-1 plan in advance of the program please visit the city's website.
About Mayor Lee Leffingwell:
Lee Leffingwell is a native of Austin and grew up in the Bouldin neighborhood in South Austin. He attended Austin public schools and graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in mechanical engineering. After college, Lee became an officer and pilot in the United States Navy and served in the Vietnam War. After leaving active duty, he served in the Navy Reserves and retired at the rank of Commander. He was a pilot with Delta Air Lines for more than 31 years, culminating his career as an international B-767 and MD-11 Captain.
After retiring from Delta, Lee volunteered in Austin, working on environmental issues. He was appointed to the Environmental Board by the Austin City Council in 1999 and subsequently elected Chair by his colleagues. In 2005, Lee ran for and won the Place 1 seat on the Austin City Council; he was re-elected to that seat in 2008 with 68% of the vote. In 2009, Lee ran successfully for Austin mayor and was re-elected in 2012.
About Ryan Robinson:
Ryan Robinson started working for the City of Austin as a demographer in 1990 and has directed their demographics work program since 1995. He began his demographic career as an enrollment forecaster and boundary planner for a large, rapidly growing suburban school system in Atlanta during the mid-80s.
Roninson is a native Austinite, graduating from Austin High and The University of Texas. After working with the state’s General Land Office under Commissioner Mauro for just over a year, he attended The University of Georgia in Athens where he got a Masters degree in geography.
His current professional interests include data mapping and interpretation, population change, and the rise and fall of American cities.
