The Austin Technology Council has appointed Amber Gunst as its interim CEO.
Gunst, who was most recently the head of sales and membership services for the ATC, has an extensive career in business development. Prior to joining ATC, she was an account manager at Kforce, a global staffing agency. And, before that, she a sales executive for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
Gunst replaces Barbary Brunner, who left the ATC about a week ago to become the new CMO for Phunware, an Austin-based app development platform that is going public on the Nasdaq in coming weeks after a reverse merger with Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
Brunner and Gunst worked together at ATC, and Gunst said she's excited to continue their work growing membership and helping member companies.
"The BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) and the programming we have created to meet the goal of growing 10 Austin-based tech companies to their first billion in revenue, and another to 100 companies to $100 million is key to growth in our community," she said in a statement. "My mission is to keep ATC and our members at the forefront of Austin's future.”
Brunner, who was ATC's CEO since early 2016, endorsed Gunst's promotion.
“Amber is a natural choice to continue the plan we have created to help grow Austin tech companies," she said in a statement. "I have no doubt that she will provide enormous value to our member companies, and the tech ecosystem as a whole for Austin."
The ATC, founded in 1992, plays a big role for many Austin tech companies. It organizes public and private roundtable discussions, panels and other events in addition to helping shape public policy positions, connecting innovators and promoting the tech industry across the region.
Mark McClain, Founder and CEO of Sailpoint and chairman of the ATC board, said ATC has recently refocused its offerings and support to help tech companies grow and expand their markets.
"As the voice for this largest segment of the tech community, ATC is committed to helping Austin grow its established tech companies to become next generation leaders in the market," he said.
