But don’t spend much time reminiscing about the good old days. Our largest school system was under desegregation orders; the voting population had soured on supporting bonds for water/waste-water infrastructure and there was great dispute over whether the city utility should own coal and nuclear-fired electric generating plants.
Thirty-five years ago a forward-thinking idea surfaced… Let’s bring together men and women of true potential and give them the information, the networks and training they need to emerge as great leaders.
The three of us (plus Polly Scallorn, who passed away in 2008) have been honored to own the challenge as chief executive officers of Leadership Austin, which this year celebrates 35 years of service to Central Texans. We remain excited about the challenge and are amazed by the passion that members of Leadership Austin have demonstrated in tackling both civic and corporate challenges over the years. We believe our members have done work that has helped Greater Austin become not just a larger city, but also a more just, fair and opportunity-rich community for its citizens.
As we celebrate the achievements, we are grateful to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce for being the creative incubator of Leadership Austin for the first 24 years. Chamber Chair Bill Archer knew a good idea when it came jogging up to him, carried by an acquaintance, on a Saturday morning in 1978. Vic Mathias and Polly Scallorn researched the concept and gave it a great beginning.
Our members have done work that has helped Greater Austin become not just a larger city, but also a more just, fair and opportunity-rich community for its citizens.We also deeply appreciate the financial benefactors who have helped the organization become a self-sustaining non-profit organization for the last 11 years. We owe a debt to the businesses and organizations that continue to entrust their best and brightest leaders—a truly diverse group—to Leadership Austin. As we look throughout the Greater Austin community, we see our alumni improving themselves, their businesses, their organizations, the city and the greater region. These leaders have formed a dense and robust network of relationships that connects business, social action organizations and governmental bodies. We have been privileged to see improved understanding that each of us owns a portion of the pressing task of creating a better community for each other.
Leadership Austin remains committed to its task—to offer emerging and community leaders a unique opportunity to be part of a group that comes together to develop their personal and professional leadership skills; learn about the issues affecting Greater Austin through open and balanced civic discussion; and build relationships with others who seek to grow as leaders.
Although we are amazed by its rapid growth, our community is still in its infancy. It will become a much larger city, and it will deepen its commercial, academic, and artistic impact upon the world. In 35 more years, in 2049, the size of Austin will double. Google glasses will be yesterday’s phone book. The Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin will be making its mark in medical research. Austin music will be… well, different. And city life, we hope, will still be somewhat weird.
What is needed to make sure we’re not just a bigger, but also a better community? The same thing we needed in 1979: leaders. As we celebrate our first 35 years, we look back with pride and will assure you that Leadership Austin will do its part to make our 70th Anniversary in 2049 another great year.
Thank you!
Lee Thomson (1994-2008)
Heather McKissick (2008-2013)
Christopher Kennedy (2014-Present)