John-Michael Cortez is a catalyst for equitable access to fast, reliable, fairly priced, and open internet for all. As GFiber’s Head of Government and Community Affairs in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama, he collaborates with communities to ensure everyone can harness digital resources to fully participate in our society, democracy, and economy. John-Michael also lectures in The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture’s Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning.
Prior to his role at GFiber, John-Michael served as Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the Mayor of Austin, Texas. John-Michael advised Mayor Adler on Austin’s most challenging issues, including regional and urban planning, transportation, workforce development, affordable housing, and where to find the city’s best breakfast tacos and BBQ. He has also previously served in various leadership roles in transportation and urban planning, policy, and community engagement in Austin.
Mr. Cortez was previously elected by Central Texas voters to serve on the Austin Community College Board of Trustees where he served from 2008 – 2014. He currently serves on the Advisory Council for Seedling Foundation; as Chairman of the Advocacy Committee for Housingworks Austin’s Board of Directors, as Co-Chair of the Central Regional Advisory Committee for the Austin Community College District, on the Steering Committee for the Central Texas Chapter of the Asset Funders Network, and as Chairman of the Board of Every Texan (formerly Center for Public Policy Priorities).
