The Power Of People — The Future of Austin, Texas.
In my new role as CEO of the Austin Technology Council my first order of business is to meet with industry leaders. This “listening tour” is allowing me to sit down with smart visionary thought leaders to hear their hopes for the future of the tech industry in Austin.
Community and collaboration is one key path to helping solve problems. Austin is an amazing city that has grown 3x in the thirty-one years that I have lived here. The Austin Technology Council was founded 30 years ago to help promote and facilitate the growth of “tech companies” as a driver for the local economy. To look back at the accomplishments of the companies that have been founded here, or moved here, is a whose who of success.
But the community cannot rest on its laurels. We cannot just assume that the future is going to be as robust as the past. We must protect the “golden goose” that keeps producing wins for the tech ecosystem in Central Texas.
These in-depth conversations that I am having are inspiring. Austin has many leaders who want to be engaged and serve the future of our city.
When we bring people who have passion and vision together, I believe we can solve any challenges that may be ahead. But we need to have dialogues and engagement. We need to bridge the history, present, and future of our community in a way that brings more inclusion.
The power is with the people who live and work in Austin. I am optimistic from what I am hearing in the community that people are ready to look to the next five and ten years and begin finding common ground.
I am seeking to continue to talk to tech leaders who are both concerned about the future, and willing to share their ideas on how to shape it.
While only a few weeks into my new role, I cannot claim to have any answers. But the more people who share their visions and hope for our community, the more excited I get about how ATC can be a conduit for conversations that lead to actionable ideas.
Who do you know in the Austin, Texas community that should be talking to the Austin Technology Council and merging their thoughts into the mix? Please reach out to me at www.AustinTechnologyCouncil.org.
Thanks.
Thom Singer, CEO — Austin Technology Council
