Jackie Sargent, general manager of Austin Energy amid public outcry after a February ice storm, will retire immediately, according to city documents obtained by the statesman Friday morning.
Stuart Riley, who served in Sargent’s administration, will serve as interim general manager, according to a memo addressed to city officials from interim city manager Jesus Garza.
“Throughout her 40-year career, Jackie has been recognized as a visionary leader in the electrical industry,” said Garza. “Leading Austin Energy through some tough times, Jackie has been a consummate professional throughout her tenure.”
Soon after Mayor Kirk Watson and city council members ousted City Manager Spencer Kronk. Garza was named interim in the meantime, and has since made several changes between city departments and senior leaders. Sargent’s departure is the latest in a series of changes among the city’s leaders. Other departures include Assistant City Manager Ray Arellano and Jacqueline Yaffet, CEO of Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
The city of Austin suffered an unprecedented ice storm that began on February 1, leaving tens of thousands of people without power and anger among customers. It was the biggest power outage the city has seen since the winter storm of 2021, when a near failure of the state’s power grid left much of the state, including Austin, in the dark.
Watson wished Sargent the best in her retirement.
“I appreciate her service to this community and her role in the utility industry,” said Watson. “Running Austin Energy is a tough job and I have worked to do it with integrity through some very trying times.”
more:Airport manager Austin Bergstrom, assistant city manager left the positions
Sargent joined Austin Energy as General Manager in August 2016. She was the first woman to hold the position of General Manager of Austin Energy. During her tenure, she helped lead utilities by managing major construction projects, developing resource plans, supporting acquisitions and mergers, leading utility rate cases, negotiating energy purchase and sale agreements, developing energy marketing and development divisions, integrating renewable resources, and establishing a cooperative, officials said. Austin Energy, Inc. Energy Efficiency Programs.
Riley joined Austin Energy as Chief of Staff in January 2019. His role focuses on facility-wide organizational policies and strategic initiatives as well as coordinating projects, supporting process improvements and managing the activities of the General Manager’s Office.
Riley previously worked at Austin Energy as an attorney with the City of Austin Law Department, providing legal advice and support to executives and management on a wide range of electric utility matters. Specializing in Utilities and Transactions Regulations, Customer Programs, and Renewable Energy.
Garza has made organizational changes among the city’s leaders and administrations since taking office, which he previously told the statesman was part of his goal to stabilize the city.
more:“Stabilizing the City”: How Austin Interim City Manager Jesús Garza Will Spend His Time in the Job
Last week, he announced the governor’s reorganization of the city’s assistant managers and chief financial officer. He said the changes were made to “prioritize the needs of the public and ensure reliability of services for Ustinets.”
In a March 24 memo to the city council and city of Austin division managers, the changes are effective immediately. The main principles of reorganization include:
- The Finance Manager will report directly to the City Manager.
- A new Strategic Communications and External Affairs executive position is created that reports directly to the City Manager.
- Conversion of Assistant City Manager’s Department appointments as consolidated offices.
- Creation of a planning department to allow equal focus on the importance of affordable housing and planning in our community. This includes the appointment of Lauren Middleton-Pratt as the new Director of Planning from 1 May.
He announced the merger of the Austin Code Management and Development Services division.
In a written statement, Jose Roig, Interim Director of the Development Services Department, said the two departments have long been partners in ensuring the safety of the built environment.
“This realignment formalizes the working relationship between us, streamlines the way the city delivers these services, and brings our organizational structure in line with best practices in our peer cities,” Roeg said.
Just days ago, the city also began working with the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide routine citywide patrols and possibly answer 911 calls — a move officials say is a clear acknowledgment that the police department desperately needs staffing help.
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