Ott appoints new government relations officer

City Manager Marc Ott announced the appointment yesterday of a new government relations officer to fill the vacancy created by John Hrncir’s retirement last year. Brie Franco, who currently serves as an assistant city attorney in El Paso, will take on the position beginning April 25. According to a statement released by Ott’s office, Franco will be “coordinating the City’s policy advocacy efforts at both the Texas and national capitols.” Franco has lived in Austin before, having graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and worked in private practice here as well as in El Paso. She also worked for five years as general counsel to state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso).