Facilities Management Staff

Education

Bachelor of Science, Tourism Science, Texas A&M University

Master of Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University

Biography

Felicia’s professional career includes both sales and management experience in the hospitality and events services industry. After completing her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, Felicia began her career as a hotel sales director in College Station, TX. She later transitioned to fundraising and events, which ultimately led her to Austin, TX. Felicia began her career with Travis County in 2017 as an Exposition Center Coordinator. As coordinator she was responsible for scheduling, booking, and coordinating events at the Travis County Exposition Center. In June 2021 Felicia was promoted to Exposition Center Division Manager, where her responsibilities include managing both the administrative and operational aspects of the Travis County Exposition Center.

Gabe’s professional career in private practice has encompassed working for both large and small award winning firms in New York and Miami. His private practice experience includes a wide variety of significant projects from courthouses to high rise condominiums located across the nation and overseas. He has held positions responsible for project design and management. In 2005, Gabe became a public Architect in service of Travis County at the Facilities Management Department. He has overseen many successful planning, design and construction projects for a long list of County projects. In 2018, Gabe was promoted to Division Manager of the Planning, Design & Construction Division. Gabe’s selective Travis County experience includes, but is not limited to:

Gabe’s selective Travis County experience includes, but is not limited to:

• IV-D Associate Judges Court at Post Road
• Drug Court Suite at Post Road
• Del Valle Wellness Clinic
• New SMART Facility
• PBO Office Suite, 700 Lavaca
• PCT 4 Commissioners Suite, 700 Lavaca
• CJP Office Suite, 700 Lavaca
• RMCR Office Suite, 700 Lavaca
• IGR Office Suite, 700 Lavaca
• County Attorney Suite, Ned Granger Bldg.
• Law Library & Café, Ned Granger Bldg.
• FMD Office Suite, 700 Lavaca
• Wellness Clinic, 700 Lavaca
• Ronald Earle Building
• Probate Courts Building
• Civil and Family Courts Facility

Gabe received both his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science degrees from Ball University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Texas Society of Architects, is a NCARB Certified Architect and LEED Accredited Professional.

AJ’s engineering career in the private sector included working in all phases of design and project management for projects located in Texas, California and in the Middle East. His strong HVAC design skills and equipment testing experience has enabled AJ to engage and solve unusual and complex projects for firms in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Austin. In 1997, Mr. Jalifi joined the public sector in service to Travis County. Using his expertise in design, test and project management, he has completed many successful facilities projects for Travis County.

AJ attended Lamar University, and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is an Engineer-in-Training and an AC-Silver Member of Toastmaster’s. AJ’s selective Travis County experience includes, but is not limited to:

• Historic Travis County HVAC & DDC -Replacement Project
• Medical Examiner Forensic HVAC & DDC -
• Repair Project
• TC Jail HVAC & DDC Replacement Project
• EOB HVAC & DDC Replacement Project
• New Tax Office HVAC Repair Project
• TC Correctional Complex HVAC Renovations
• CJC HVAC Chiller & Boiler Replacement Project
• Historic Travis County HVAC Chiller Replacement Project

"With over 30 years of experience in HVAC and facility management, Baldemar J. Ruiz brings extensive expertise to his role as Building Operations Division Manager for Travis County. Since beginning his career with the City of Austin in 1995, he has steadily advanced through roles of increasing responsibility, managing significant building upgrades and capital improvement projects.

Since joining Travis County in 2020, Baldemar has taken on leadership responsibilities overseeing building operations, including custodial services, movers, grounds maintenance teams. He is committed to ensuring efficient, safe, and well-maintained facilities that effectively serve the community.

Job Progression:

• HVAC Installer, South Side Heating and Air (1992–1995)
• HVAC Technician I, City of Austin, Austin Water Utility (1995–1996)
• HVAC Technician I, City of Austin Building Services (1996-2004)
• Facilities HVAC Technician, City of Austin, Austin Water Utility (2004–2012)
• Heating and Refrigeration Mechanic Supervisor, City of Austin, Austin Water Utility (2012–2016)
• Project Coordinator, City of Austin, Austin Water Utility (2016–2019)
• Chiller/Boiler Specialist, Travis County Facilities Management (2020–2022)
• Building Maintenance Superintendent, Travis County Facilities Management (2022-2025)
• Building Operations Division Manager, Travis County Facilities Management (2025–Present)
  Certifications and Licenses:
• Texas Class B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License (#TACLB43832E)
• EPA Universal Certification ( Esco Institute)
• Trane CenTraVac System Fundamentals Certificate
• Trane Building Automation System Training
• Diploma, Capital City Trade and Technical School"

"Gus professional career started as a custodian and has progressed to the current position of Assistant Director of Operations. As a facilities executive with over 25 years of progressive experience leading facilities operations, capital construction, and property management across education, healthcare, commercial, and residential sectors. Gus has managed multi-million-dollar budgets, overseen cross-functional teams, and ensure regulatory compliance across large-scale facility portfolios.

In July of 2025 Gus joined the Travis County Facilities Department to oversee the Operations department that consists of Maintenance/Repair department as well as Operations department that consist of Custodial, Grounds and Moving divisions. Gus has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa and an Associates of Arts degree from Hawkeye Community College.".

Education

Austin Community College
Southwest Texas State University
FBI National AcademyTexas
Leadership Command College

Biography

Darren has extensive supervisory and law enforcement experience. He started with the Travis County Sherriff’s Office in 1987. Over the course of his career, Darren served in numerous roles, which ultimately led to his promotion to Major over each of the three bureaus: Administration & Support Bureau, Corrections Bureau (Jail), and the Law Enforcement Bureau.  After 28 years of service, he honorably retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2015.

He has served as a Board Member on the American Jail Association, Travis County Community Justice Council, Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force, and the Criminal Justice Advisory Board.

Darren has been very involved in the Community, volunteering for charitable organizations such as the Austin Children’s Shelter, Texas Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and was a Mentor in the local Seedling Mentor Program. He also coached his two daughters’ soccer teams for 10 years. He takes great pride in his two independent daughters that graduated from the Texas State University, and feels they are his greatest accomplishments.

Darren is excited to be a part of the Travis County family once again!

Biography

Aerin’s professional career includes policy and administrative work in the nonprofit sector and more than a decade in policy, budget, and planning. Aerin joined Travis County in the Planning and Budget Office in 2011, and served in numerous roles, assisting with the annual county budget, capital and debt funding, and long-range planning. She moved to the Facilities Management Department in 2024, where her responsibilities include managing planning, development, and other administrative functions of the Facilities Management Department.

Aerin received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Arizona State University

Certified Public Accountant Texas

Biography

Amy’s professional career includes a great versatility in accounting backgrounds for both multiple private sector and governmental entities such as a small engineering company, real estate management firm, the Department of Defense, and now Travis County. Amy began her career with Travis County in 1993 as an Accounting Associate in the Tax Office where she was then promoted to Accountant. After four years with the Tax Office, Amy moved to the District Attorney’s Office as an Accountant II. In 2001, Amy transferred to the Facilities Management Department (FMD) as a Financial Analyst, then accepted a promotion to Financial Analyst Senior working with capital projects. During this time frame, she completed the coursework to sit for and passed the examination necessary to become a Certified Public Accountant. Amy was promoted to Financial Manager in 2006, which included responsibility for FMD’s operating and capital project budgets. She then accepted the promotion to Administrative Division Manager in 2015, with oversight of the department’s administrative, human resources, financial, and 700 Lavaca building management.