submitted by Derick Hackett, Austin Texas
The Austin Convention Center Department has announced that Rolando Fernandez, Jr. has joined the Austin Convention Center Department’s executive team as an Deputy Director. He is joining the redevelopment and expansion project team and will lead the department’s purchasing, contracts, and project management teams.
Fernandez is a United States Air Force veteran and a local government executive with over 26 years of experience. He comes to ACCD from the City of Austin’s Central Procurement group within the Financial Services Department where he served as a Capital Contracting Officer. There he was responsible for leading the procurement, execution, and contract management for professional and construction services for the City’s Capital Improvement Programs.
“Rolando brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in capital improvement programs, construction services, contract development, and procurement,” said Trisha Tatro, Austin Convention Center Department Director. “He has demonstrated an ability to effectively communicate with Mayor and Council, City executives, outside agencies, and stakeholders. His knowledge and problem-solving experiences will further strengthen our department.”
With 17 years of overall experience with the City of Austin, Fernandez previously served as Interim Capital Contracting Officer, Assistant Director, and Assistant to the City Manager, focusing on Capital Improvement Programs, construction services, contract procurement, and development.
“I am humbled and excited to join Director Tatro and the Convention Center Team in serving our citizens and visitors with excellent customer service and first-rate event and meeting space accommodations,” said Rolando Fernandez, Jr., the new Austin Convention Center Department Deputy Director.
Serving as an Aerospace Physiologist in the United States Air Force, he was a non-commissioned officer in charge of operational and logistics elements with the School of Aerospace Physiology stationed in Texas, California, and Arkansas. He served in deployments in the Middle East and South Korean Peninsula and was also a Spanish language instructor for South and Central American Military Students.
Fernandez earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Wayland Baptist University and has a master of art in public administration from St. Mary’s University, both in San Antonio. He is also a past president of the Local Government Hispanic Network.
ABOUT THE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER:
The Austin Convention Center is a LEED® Gold-certified and GBAC STAR™-accredited facility. Located in the heart of downtown, the Austin Convention Center Department operates the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center. The Austin Convention Center Department is comprised of 301 full-time staff positions and is an enterprise department for the City of Austin. As an enterprise department, ACCD is not funded by property taxes, sales taxes, or transfers from the electric and water utilities. Over 10 million people have attended 6,000+ events, including over 900 conventions, at the convention center since it opened in 1992.
