AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Chamber has selected its 2024-2025 board leadership. Rudy Garza, president and CEO of GarzaEMC, will be the 2024 board chair and Mark Ramseur, managing principal of Pape-Dawson Engineers, will be the 2025 board chair and serve as chair elect in 2024. Their terms are set to begin on Jan. 1, 2024.

“I am excited, honored and ready to lead the Chamber’s board in 2024 and if there is one message I want to convey, it's that it is time to show up,” Garza said. “That sounds simple, but it's not. As the voice of the business for this community, it is time for us to once again be leaders in this community. The Chamber needs to help amplify our region’s strengths while tackling the challenges we face, like affordability and public safety, not just with words, but with action. This region is one of the best to live, work, play and grow a business in the country, and having an active, dedicated and connected Chamber, will help us preserve what we have built.”

Garza currently serves on multiple boards throughout the city, including the Real Estate Council of Austin, Leadership Austin and Salvation Army. Before founding GarzaEMC, Garza was appointed as assistant city manager of the City of Austin from August 2000 to July 2011, where he gained comprehensive experience in project management, budgeting and project financing. Garza has an understanding of both public and private sector needs, and brings this experience, along with knowledge of the importance and complexities of engagements with governmental agencies, to the Chamber, which will benefit the business community at large.

Garza praised Ali Khataw, 2023 Austin Chamber Board Chair, for his leadership as Austin and its economy flourished.

“I am very grateful for Ali’s leadership and commitment to all in our community. His passion for servant leadership is on display every day. I am especially grateful for his focus on Workforce Development and Education. We will continue these efforts and work collaboratively to provide opportunities for our young people and also continue to build the workforce that makes Austin great. I look forward to continuing to work with Ali to address our business communities needs. .”

2024 chair elect Mark Ramseur oversees operations for the Central Texas area office of Pape-Dawson Engineers, which provides professional civil engineering, surveying, GIS, and environmental services for public and private clients. He has served on the Chamber’s board since 2018 and is a member of multiple other boards of directors including Big Brothers Big Sister of Central Texas, Leadership Austin and the Real Estate Council of Austin.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with the position as board chair for 2025 by my fellow board members,” Ramseur said. “The Austin Chamber is a respected, long-standing and highly influential organization for our growing community, and I am proud to be able to continue to bolster this reputation. I want to thank Chamber President and CEO Jeremy Martin and our outgoing chair Ali Khataw for their devoted leadership throughout 2023. I look forward to working with Rudy Garza, the entire Chamber board and staff in the coming year so I will be ready on day one to lead the Chamber.”

Mark Ramseur has over 30 years of leadership, operations management and project related experience within the architecture/engineering consulting industry. Ramseur has played an integral role with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas for more than a decade. Serving as board chair in 2015 and being a member of the executive board from 2013 to 2018, Ramseur and his wife, Lori, make a difference in the lives of Central Texas children by supporting numerous funding initiatives within the organization in honor of their late son Jackson “Jack” Ramseur, who battled with severe epilepsy. Mark and his wife were presented with the 2023 Ice VII Award due to their gracious Fund A Friendship donations, which provide Central Texas children with the one-to-one support needed to succeed in life. In addition to their charitable involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Mark and his wife this year established an endowment through Dell Children’s Foundation called the Jackson Ramseur Endowment for Dell Children's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, in support of defeating epilepsy.

The Chamber board also welcomed the following new board members serving terms that will begin on Jan. 1, 2024, and expire on Dec. 31, 2026.

• Mason Ayer, chief executive officer, Kerbey Lane Cafe
• Denise Bradley, vice president of communication and community affairs, St. David’s HealthCare
• Daniel Brooks, principal; managing director, Page
• Jason Buechel, chief executive officer, Whole Foods
• Denise Davis, partner, Davis Kaufman PLLC
• Kerry Hall, director, Susser Bank
• Scott Haywood, central division president, HNTB Corporation
• David Jabour, president, Twin Liquors
• Bobby Jenkins, owner, ABC Home & Commercial Services
• Joseph Llamas, president, Generational Commercial Properties
• Pamela Madere, partner, Jackson Walker LLP
• Jenny Whittemore, chief operating officer, Endeavor Real Estate Group

The following executive committee members will serve as vice chairs for one year and were approved by the Chamber board of directors on Sept. 28, 2023.

• Governance and Engagement - Jeremiah Bentley, Texas Mutual
• Finance - Nicole Conley, Siebert Williams Shank
• State/Federal Relations - Denise Davis, Davis Kaufman PLLC
• Innovation - Joyce Durst, Growth Acceleration Partners
• Programs - Kerry Hall, Susser Bank
• Infrastructure - Scott Haywood, HNTB
• Economic Development - Ruth Hughs, Kelly Hart
• Business Owners Council - David Jabour, Twin Liquors
• Austin Gives - Bobby Jenkins, ABC Home & Commercial Services
• General Counsel - Pamela Madere, Jackson Walker
• Membership - Kristin Marcum, ECPR Texas
• Communications - Abby Mellott, Austin Business Journal
• Talent - Geronimo Rodriguez, Ascension Texas
• Local Government Relations - Trey Salinas, 3 Point Partners

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About the Austin Chamber

The Austin Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization that helps people live, work and thrive in Austin. The Chamber invests in a broad range of programs that build and support Austin’s diverse business community. The Chamber is the voice of business at all levels of government. Its vision is for Austin to have the country’s most prosperous community. To learn more, visit austinchamber.com.