Meet The Team

Trisha Tatro is the Interim Director of the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD). She previously served as the Assistant Director since 2018.

As Assistant Director, her duties included administration over Facility Operations, Sustainability, Capital Improvement Projects, Event Utilities, Building Maintenance and Parking Operation departments, both at the Austin Convention Center (ACC) and the Palmer Events Center (PEC).

Tatro managed the $74 million Capital Improvement Project budget for the Austin Convention Center Department that includes the Marshalling Yard and Warehouse design projects and the exterior restoration of the Castleman Bull House. Another successful project led by Tatro was a joint effort in completing the walkways that now connect the Hilton and Fairmont Hotels to the convention center.

Tatro joined the department in 2002 as an intern while working on her Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of Texas at Austin. Since she has moved up the ladder as an Event Coordinator, Senior Event Coordinator, Event Coordinator Supervisor, Events Services Manager, Convention Facility Manager and as the ACCD Assistant Director.

Paul Barnes has been the Deputy Director – Chief Operations Officer since 2017. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the Austin Convention Center (ACC), Palmer Events Center (PEC), and three parking garages.

Barnes oversees six divisions at ACCD including Building Operations, Event and Exhibitor Services, Sales, Security, Marketing/Public Information and IT, as well as all Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and special projects allocated to the department.

He joined the department in 2008, as the Convention Facility Manager.

Overall, Barnes has over 30 years of experience in the meeting and convention industry and hails from New Orleans where he attained decades of experience in the hospitality industry.

Barnes is a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

His extensive experience and strong credentials have been vital to the continued growth and success of the ACC and PEC, helping ensure that these city facilities continue to retain and capture convention and trade show businesses that economically benefit the City of Austin.

Van Jobe is the Assistant Director of the Austin Convention Center Department overseeing Procurement, Contract Management, Shipping and Receiving, Community Workforce and Enterprise Development.

As an Assistant Director since 2017, he has provided executive oversight and assisted with the department’s goals in Strategic Planning, Community Engagement, Records and Information Governance, Strategic Direction 2023, and a variety city wide initiatives, departmental employee awards and recognition activities and community engagement projects, programs and departmental priorities.

Jobe previously served as the department’s Division Manager from 2008 to 2017, with direct oversight of parking division, purchasing and commercial lease agreements, retail customer services, as well as administrative oversight of major commodities and services contracts.

Jobe has over 25 years of experience in the public-sector arena providing leadership in multidiscipline areas that include Health and Human Services, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, Management Services, Real Estate Services, and Justice and Public Safety.

Jobe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1993 and a Master’s in Public Administration from Texas State University in 2009. He is also a 2020 graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program in Public Leadership.