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Commissioners hold open-court interviews for County Executive for Innovative Justice
Summary
Travis County Commissioners Court conducted open-court interviews on June 11 for five finalists for the County Executive for Innovative Justice and Program Analysis. Each candidate answered eight standardized questions; the court recessed to executive session for final deliberations.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown opened the Commissioners Court on June 11 and said the single agenda item was to consider hiring a County Executive for Innovative Justice and Program Analysis and to conduct in-person interviews of five finalists in open court. "This is Travis County Judge Andy Brown calling to order the meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court for 06/11/2026," he said.
Michelle Kern, the assistant HR director with HRMD, told the court each candidate would receive the same eight questions and would have 40 minutes for the interview with time kept by HR. "We have 40 minutes allotted for each one of the interviews," Kern said, and she asked commissioners to limit follow-ups to clarifying points so the panel could hear all candidates.
The court heard interviews from Dr. Charisse Fano Bardeen, Ray Cameron, Dr. Jenny Simpson, Dr. Sandra Smith and Ashley Walton. Topics included transformational change across agencies, innovation under financial or political constraints, multimillion-dollar budgeting, multi-jurisdiction coordination, workforce and reentry programming, and how to ensure meaningful engagement with affected communities. Candidates repeatedly emphasized data, cross-sector coordination, and community-centered processes.
No hiring motion or vote occurred in open court. Judge Brown and HR indicated the court would move to executive session to deliberate and make a hiring decision. The open-court portion was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
