Every spring, Leadership Austin recognizes alumni and community leaders who are serving the region in exceptional ways, and who are committed to our core values of community trusteeship, inclusiveness, collaborative decision-making and personal responsibility. The Outstanding Alumnus award is presented in memory of Polly Scallorn, the founding executive director of Leadership Austin. David Escamilla (Essential 23 – 2002) was the recipient of the award in 2019.
For decades, David has been quietly changing the face of Austin for the better as a public servant. At its core, his leadership and advice come from asking, “What is the right thing to do?” As the Travis County Attorney, David handles both criminal and civil matters. In that role, he establishes standards for seeking justice, and he also influences County policy.
His list of accomplishments and service is long and comprehensive. He began his public service as General Counsel at the Texas Senate. He has worked for the Travis County Attorney’s Office since 1985 and quickly rose to the position of First Assistant in 1989. In March 2003, David became the first Hispanic Travis County Attorney.
A consummate servant leader, he is the voice for many who would not otherwise have one. He was the voice for the community by ensuring compliance with open government laws in Austin. Based on his actions, the City of Austin adopted significant changes to their practices which allows for more public access to City business.
He is also the voice for family violence victims. David established the Family Violence Division at the Travis County Attorney’s Office to ensure uniform and consistent processes in providing protective orders and criminal enforcement in domestic violence cases.
As an Assistant County Attorney, David worked to create the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan. While Travis County Attorney, David also gave a voice to the environment when a developer polluted Hamilton Pool. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality initially assessed $80,000 in penalties against the developer. With permission of the Commissioners Court, David challenged the amount of penalties and ultimately filed suit. Under David, Travis County recovered an unprecedented $2.09 million in order to clean up Hamilton Pool.
Most recently, David gave a voice to those seeking marriage equality. The County Attorney’s Office advised the Travis County Clerk on the issuance of the first ever same-sex marriage license issued in the State of Texas.
As County Attorney, David is responsible for the prosecution of all misdemeanor offenses before our County Courts and Justices of the Peace, as well as the delivery of legal services to Travis County’s elected and appointed officials and department heads. His service has been marked with a priority for legal ethics, criminal justice reform, governmental transparency and environmental protection.
His efforts have led to the creation of problem-solving specialty courts such as the Veterans Court and the Phoenix Court, a program for defendants who have been arrested for misdemeanor prostitution charges and want to safely transition out of sex work. He has also implemented initiatives to provide alternatives to conviction and incarceration which decreases recidivism.
David served on the Leadership Austin Board of Directors from 2003 to 2009, including as chair in 2007. He has encouraged and mentored countless others through Leadership Austin’s many service-oriented programs thereby introducing future generations of leaders in both the public and private sector. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Community Advancement Network and is a past chair of that organization. His service as a prosecutor includes serving on the board and as past chair of the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association. He was recently appointed to the prestigious board of directors for the National District Attorneys Association. David’s past board service includes American Youthworks, Skillpoint Alliance, and the United Way for Greater Austin.
After graduating from the Tehran American School, David received his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1979, and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982.
David’s accomplishments are not widely publicized because that is not his goal. However, through his dedicated community service, he has impacted the lives of many people by giving them a voice and an opportunity to grow.
Read David’s interview for the 2019 Community Engagement Honorees Reception.
The 2019 Community Engagement Honorees:
Christopher Kennedy, Leadership Austin CEO (Essential 16 – 1995)
David Escamilla, Outstanding Alumnus (Essential 23 – 2002)
Earl Maxwell, Honorary Alumnus
Maram Museitif, Ascendant Alumna (Emerge 10 – 2016)
Mike Meroney, 2019 Leadership Austin Board Chair (Essential 26 – 2005)
See the complete list of past Community Engagement Honorees.
Save the date for the 2020 Community Engagement Honorees Reception: Wednesday, April 1. Stay tuned to email and social media for honoree announcements and ticket information.
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