Andy Brown
Andy serves as the Travis County Judge. The County Judge presides over the Travis County Commissioners Court which oversees the county’s $2 billion annual budget, acts as the County’s chief administrator, and is the Director of Emergency Management for the County.
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Meet the County Judge Staff
Chief of Staff
Kate Garza
(512) 854-9555
Kate Garza serves as Judge Brown's Chief of Staff. A lawyer, Kate started her career as a second-grade teacher in the Cabrini Green housing projects in Chicago where she saw firsthand how our broken social safety net impacts our communities and can push working families into crisis. She believes that together we can fix it.
Kate has spent the past twenty years working in health, education, and labor policy to give voice and build power to improve the lives of working people, children, and communities of color. Kate has worked for the United States Senate HELP Committee, House of Representatives Education & Workforce Committee, and the Departments of Education and Labor, where she served as an official in the Obama Administration. In Austin, Kate served as senior counsel to Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and then as Director of Advocacy & External Affairs for the Ascension Seton Hospital System.
Kate lives in Austin with her husband José, two kids, and dog, Bizzy.
Communications Advisor
Jacqueline Arias-Bryant serves as the Communications Advisor to Judge Brown. Before joining Judge Brown’s office, Jackie served as the Legislative Director to Texas State Representative Ramón Romero, Jr. She previously worked on state and federal campaigns in South Texas, including serving as Michelle Vallejo’s field director for her 2022 congressional run.
Jackie is a proud Rio Grande Valley native and passionate about community organizing as she began her career with La Unión Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), a nonprofit that serves to empower farmworkers and colonia residents on the Texas-Mexico border. She graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and received her MA in Political Science and her BA in Mass Communications and Broadcast Journalism. Jackie enjoys spending time with her husband Cody and two dogs, watching sports and exploring Austin’s food scene and outdoors.
Administrative Coordinator
Cynthia Valdez serves as the administrative coordinator to Judge Andy Brown. She has more than 14 years of experience working for Travis County, first in the Tax Office as a compliance officer, and then as a financial and administrative aide for the District Judges’ Office.
Cynthia graduated from St. Edwards University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, is fluent in Spanish, and helps manage the day-to-day operations in Judge Brown’s office. Cynthia likes to spend time outside with her husband going to concerts, hiking, and enjoying Travis County’s many greenbelts.
Agenda Specialist
Leo Carneiro, currently serving as the Agenda Specialist in Judge Brown's Office, brings a wealth of experience and a strong dedication to community service to his role. Starting with a bachelor's degree in political science from Brigham Young University-Idaho, Leo ventured into the tech industry upon relocating to Austin, Texas. There, he sharpened his analytical skills as a Data Analyst and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually assuming management positions where he led initiatives in fraud prevention and mitigation within the payment’s workflows.
Not confining himself to a single domain, Leo expanded his expertise by also taking on the role of Trust & Safety Advocate, where he addressed various critical global issues such as terrorism prevention and combating child exploitation, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to societal welfare and ethical standards. Leo is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.
Outside his professional endeavors, Leo Carneiro's life is enriched by his family and his passion for exploring different cuisines, demonstrating his appreciation for cultural diversity. He cherishes spending time with his wife and two kids, nurturing their bond through shared experiences and adventures.
