The DAA: Who We Are
Staff
Charles Betts
Executive Director
Charlie Betts has been the Executive Director of the Downtown Austin Alliance for more than ten years. He is a director of the International Downtown Association, a member of the Austin Area Research Organization, an Advisory Director of Franklin Bank SSB, a Trustee Emeritus of St. Edward's University, and serves as an Elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Previously, he served as a director for both the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Capital of Texas Public Telecommunications Council (KLRU), and was president of the Heritage Society of Austin. He received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas.
Email: cbetts at downtownaustin dot com
Molly Alexander
Associate Director
Molly Alexander is the Associate Director of the Downtown Austin Alliance. She brings to the Alliance a wealth of knowledge and experience. She received her a Bachelors Degree in Urban Studies and History from Trinity University. Along with founding her own start-up company, her past positions have also included Director of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Georgetown Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Economic and Community Development Director for the City of Elgin.
Email: molly at downtownaustin dot com
Linda Asaf
Retail Development Advisor
Linda Asaf is the Retail Recruiter for the Downtown Austin Alliance. Her role is to help bring quality retailers to the Downtown area. Ms. Asaf brings a unique perspective to this postion as she is also a business owner in the West End as well as a Downtown resident. She holds MBAs from Columbia Business School in Finance and Marketing as well as a BBA from Texas A&M University in Bank Marketing. Linda has over 15 years of experience in Sales & Marketing for Fortune 500s like Citibank, IBM, Young & Rubicam and Accenture. When she's not Downtown, you'll find her sailing on Lake Travis.
Email: linda at downtownaustin dot com
Melissa Barry
Arts & Parks Director
Melissa Barry joined the Downtown Austin Alliance in September 2009. Before joining the DAA, she was a senior planner at Behan Planning and Design where she worked with local governments throughout the northeast on open space, parks and community planning initiatives. Prior to that, she was a planner with the San Francisco Bay Trail, a regional trail initiative that encircles the San Francisco Bay. She was part of a small group of dedicated volunteers who worked in partnership with the City of Troy (NY) to revitalize a prominent downtown park in her hometown. She holds a BS degree in Biology from the University of Albany (NY) and a MS degree in Environmental Planning from Arizona State University. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. She looks forward to merging her passion for parks and arts with her love of downtown.
Email: melissa at downtownaustin dot com
Bill Brice
Security & Maintenance Director
Bill Brice holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in Marketing from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Bill joined the DAA as the Security & Maintenance Program Director in October 2003. He and his family moved to Austin from central Pennsylvania where he was the Executive Director of a YMCA. He has 13 years experience working with nonprofit organizations, including five years as the Director of Special Events and Communications with the Vail Valley Tourism and Convention Bureau.
Email: bbrice at downtownaustin dot com
Samia Burns
Accounting Director
Samia Yusuf Burns, who became DAA Accounting Manager in May 2001, is originally from Ethiopia. She received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of North Texas and has 12 years experience working in the nonprofit and long-term health care industry as an accounting manager and a controller, including three years as acquisition and system integrator for EduCare.
Email: samia at downtownaustin dot com
Thomas Butler
Streetscapes & Transportation Director
Thomas Butler joined the staff of the DAA in March 2002. He has Bachelors Degree in Journalism from the University of Texas and will soon complete his Masters Degree from the University's Community and Regional Planning Program. Previously, he worked as a Community Planner for the National Park Service and as an elementary school teacher. As the Transportation Program Director, and as a bicycle commuter, Thomas is enthusiastic about encouraging alternative transportation in Downtown.
Email: tbutler at downtownaustin dot com
Julie Fitch
Economic Development Director
Julie Fitch has been with the Downtown Austin Alliance since August 1999. She grew up in Marshall, Texas, and moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where she graduated with a degree in Government with a minor in Chemistry. Prior to joining the DAA staff, Julie worked for the Texas House of Representatives. In addition to economic development issues and projects, Julie also staffs the Alliance's parks program.
Email: julief at downtownaustin dot com
Lacy LaBorde
Marketing & Communications Director
Lacy LaBorde joined the Downtown Austin Alliance in September 2007. She leads the efforts to communicate the positive impacts made by the DAA and its members, and inform people of the benefits of living, working and playing downtown. Prior to joining the DAA, she was an Account Supervisor and Consumer Practice leader at GCI Read-Poland, a global public relations firm with offices in downtown Austin. While there, she supported clients such as Dell, Mr. Gatti's Pizza, Seventh Generation, Texas Council on Family Violence and Farm Credit Bank. Lacy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.
Email: lacy at downtownaustin dot com
Dane Sullivan
Supervisor, Austin Downtown Rangers
Austin Police Department
Dane Sullivan supervises the Austin Downtown Ranger Program. He has been with the Ranger program since December of 1996. Prior to the Ranger program, he managed a retail establishment in south Austin for ten years. Having worked for the City of Austin with the Austin Police Department (APD) prior to his retail experience, he was excited to return to work with APD and the Ranger program. Dane and his family live outside Austin on an old family ranch. He is the fifth generation to live on that acreage.
Email: dane dot sullivan at ci.austin.tx.us
Alice Vargas
Membership Director
Alice Vargas has been with the Downtown Austin Alliance since April 1998. As Membership Director, she oversees the execution of the quarterly luncheons and the Issues & Eggs breakfast meetings. She also coordinates the Tree Lighting at the Capitol and installation of the holiday decorations on Congress Avenue. In 1996, Alice earned her B.A. in Communications with a minor in history from St. Edward's University. Alice came to Austin from Floydada, Texas to attend St. Edward's University through the College Assistant Migrant Program Scholarship Program. As an alumnus of this program and the university, she enjoys sharing her experience with potential and incoming students.
Email: alicev at downtownaustin dot com