Austin Utilities announces new general manager – Austin Daily Herald

Austin Utilities has appointed Tom Dankert as its new general manager. 

Dankert is the current Administrative Service Director for the City of Austin, and will replace Mark Nibaur, who is retiring after leading the utility since 2010. Dankert’s appointment is effective Oct 6.

Dankert graduated from Austin High School and went on to get his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Mankato State University.  He immediately returned to Austin to work for the CPA firm of Bowlby, Anfinson, Crandall & Haedt (now CliftonLarsonAllen).  After five years with the CPA firm, he was hired by the City of Austin and promoted to the position of Director of Administrative Services in 1998. He has held this position for the last 27 years.

“While I leave behind fond memories of my time at the City of Austin including working with some phenomenal staff, I look forward to joining the team at Austin Utilities to continue their tradition of providing safe, reliable, and responsible public utilities to our community,” Dankert said. “The work ethic and dedication of their Board of Commissioners and employees have proven over the years to be a real asset to our community. This is a team that I now get to play for.”

 Steve Greenman, Board President, extended his congratulations. 

“The Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners is excited to welcome Mr. Dankert to lead us into the future at Austin Utilities,” Greenman said. “With Tom’s resume of efficient, smart, and transparent leadership, along with being a lifelong resident of Austin, we know we are in good hands.”

His wife, Sheri, is the secretary-treasurer at The Hormel Foundation.  His daughter Erin is a doctor in the Emergency Department at Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Austin, while his son Jack is attending New York University for his LLM (Master of Laws) specializing in tax law.