Taje Allen, 17-Year Department Veteran, Former Longhorn, NFL Player Promoted to Assistant Director at Austin Convention Center Department

Palmer Events Center

AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Convention Center Department is pleased to announce the promotion and naming of 17-year department veteran Taje Allen, a former University of Texas Longhorn football player and Superbowl winning defensive back with the St. Louis Rams, as its new Assistant Director.

Allen is a member of the Austin Convention Center Department’s Executive Team and is responsible for 140 full-time employees. He oversees six managers and 13 supervisors who manage the day-to-day operations of the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center, Convention Center Warehouse and Marshalling Yard, and three parking garages. Allen oversees facility maintenance, event set-ups and tear-downs, event electrical, rigging, recycling, custodial, building and grounds, and Capital Improvement Projects. Allen has 17 years of experience at ACCD, which started in 2005.

Previously serving as the Interim Facility Manager from 2021-22, Allen excelled in facilities operations, strategic planning, and problem-solving during the pandemic. He guided the efforts in obtaining the Global Biorisk Advisory Councils (GBAC) Star Accreditation that led to the validation of the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center cleaning programs and demonstrated best work practices to prevent and respond to outbreaks.

“Taje has been an asset to the department for 17 years and we will continue to benefit greatly from his knowledge, experience, and leadership,” said Trisha Tatro, Austin Convention Department Director. “He has made a positive impact on our internal staff with his willingness to listen, his patience and his communication skills. He quickly became a leader by example with his steady presence and his focus on customer service. “

Allen was the ACCD Event Services Manager from 2010-20. His duties included evaluating the day-to-day plans for set-ups and teardowns and cleaning for Convention Center and Palmer Event Center and developing long and short-range plans. From 2005-2010, Allen was an Event Coordinator at the Austin Convention Center completing preplans, diagrams, cost estimates, and making client presentations.

Before ACCD, Allen was an Event Operations Assistant at the University of Texas at Austin, from 2004-05 supporting the coordination of men’s athletic events, stadium suites set-ups, and assisted with the production of the 2005 NCAA men’s basketball regional tournament.

In 1995 he was an Event Coordinator Intern at ACCD. Allen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from the University of Texas at Austin. As a member of the Longhorns football team, Allen led the team to the final Southwest Conference Championship and the first Big 12 Conference Championship. He was Big 12 Honorable Mention in 1996 and went on to play defensive back in the NFL. Allen won Super Bowl XXVI in 2000 with the St. Louis Rams, then finished his playing career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002.

The Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center are operated by the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD), a division of the City of Austin. The monthly event schedule for the Austin Convention Center can be accessed at www.austinconventioncenter.com/events.