Austin Tourism Commission elects temporary chair and vice chair after Rowan's departure

The Austin Tourism Commission unanimously voted Dec. 10 to appoint Commissioner Masters as vice chair and to confirm Ed Bailey to continue as chair on a temporary basis until the commission's regular officer vote in April.

Commissioner Penosian moved to nominate Commissioner Masters to fill the vice chair vacancy; the nomination was seconded and Masters accepted. "I don't come from the industry," Masters said, "I've worked at the state and local level ... I know who all the experts are, and I can at least call and find out who that person is." Commissioners voted "aye" and the motion passed unanimously.

Ed Bailey was nominated to chair the commission for the interim period and received multiple seconders before commissioners voted to confirm him. The chairing arrangement follows the departure of Daniel Rowan, which commissioners described as the reason for holding temporary officer elections at this meeting; Burleson and the chair noted the body will hold its usual annual officer vote in April.

Prior to the officer elections the commission approved its minutes unanimously and heard a staff briefing from Felicia Burleson, who reviewed the meeting packet and logistics. Burleson also reminded commissioners to check city communications for meeting space updates and noted procedures for placing items on future agendas.

The appointments are temporary. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the April vote will be the formal annual selection and that outreach and agenda work during the interim will be directed by the new chair and vice chair in coordination with staff. The meeting adjourned unanimously.