Austin City Mayor

Mayor Lee Leffingwell

Lee Leffingwell is a native of Austin, and grew up in the Bouldin neighborhood in South Austin. His father was an Austin firefighter and later a Travis County Deputy Sheriff; his mother worked as an admissions clerk at the University of Texas.

Lee attended Austin public schools and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in mechanical engineering.

After college, Lee became an officer and pilot in the United States Navy, and served on active duty in the Vietnam War. He subsequently joined the Naval Reserves, and retired from the Armed Forces after 20 years of service with the rank of Commander.

Lee was a commercial pilot with Delta Air Lines for nearly 32 years, ending his career as an international Boeing 767 and MD-11 Captain.

After retiring from Delta, Lee became a full-time community volunteer in Austin, with a focus on environmental causes. He was appointed to the city's Environmental Board by the Austin City Council in 1999, and subsequently elected Chair by his colleagues.

In 2005, Lee ran for and won the Place 1 seat on the Austin City Council; he was re-elected to that seat in 2008 with 68% of the vote. In 2009, Lee ran successfully for Austin mayor, winning the support of every endorsing Democratic, neighborhood and environmental group in Austin.

Lee is married to Julie Byers, a registered nurse at Seton Northwest hospital. Lee and Julie are the parents of three, and the grand-parents of six.

Address: City Hall 301 W. 2nd St. 2nd Floor Austin, Texas 78701
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 1088, Austin, Texas 78767
Tel: 512 974-2250
Fax: 512 974-2337
Office Term: June 22, 2009, to June 15, 2012