Austin Beutner

                    
                                                        Austin Beutner

Mr. Beutner was confirmed by the L.A. City Council as the Interim General Manager of the LA Department of Water and Power on April 20, 2010. His long term goal at the DWP is to end it's over reliance on fossil fuels. His short term focus is on finding a new General manager for the DWP with "the leadership goals and vision to help the department become the best utility in the United Sates."

This appointment at DWP is in addition to his current critical position as the First Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive for Economic and Business Policy for the City. Austin has a unique background of outstanding experience in both the public and private sector. His primary role at City Hall is to change the business culture of the city where growth and job creation are top priorities.

Austin began his private career with Smith Barney in 1982 and helped establish Smith Barney's Merchant Banking group. In 1989 he became the youngest partner at the Blackstone Group, one of the world's leading investment and advisory firms. He was responsible for overseeing investments in Mexico and other countries and advising leading businesses around the world. In 1994 to 1996 he worked for the United States State Department. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union he led the effort to help the struggling Russian government in their transition to a market economy.

In 1996, Beutner co-founded the investment banking firm Evercore Partners with former deputy Secretary Roger Altman. As President and Co Chief Executive Officer Beutner helped build Evercore into a leading firm with offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Huston, London, Mexico City and Monterey. Evercore provides advisory services to clients on significant mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring and other corporate transactions.

Beutner currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the California Institute of the Arts; Chairman of the Board of the California Governor's Council on Physical fitness and Sports.

Austin was born in New York and raised in Grand Rapids Michigan. He attended Dartmouth College earning a degree in Economics in 1982. He and his wife have lived in Los Angeles for the past ten years. They have four children.

We are very pleased to have Mr.Beutner take time out of his very hectic schedule to visit us at Valley VOTE. We look forward to hearing about the 2011 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference plans for the L.A. Convention Center that he negotiated with Steve Ballmer of Microsoft. We also would like an update on the long range power source plans for the L.A. DWP to meet future Renewable Energy Goals and Clean Air Requirements.

Valley VOTE Mission Statement

Valley VOTE, a diverse coalition of San Fernando Valley residents, businesspeople, educators, community activists, and organizations, is committed to exploring and fostering the implementation of programs that empower the people of the San Fernando Valley and the City of Los Angeles, to improve local governance, education and public participation on policy matters.
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