Place 2: Term ends in 2014.

A life-long resident of Central Texas, John-Michael Vincent Cortez graduated from McNeil High School in northwest Austin, received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business from The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Science in Community and Regional Planning program in UT’s School of Architecture. John-Michael is also a graduate of the Hispanic Austin Leadership program and 2008 Leadership Austin Essential Class. Mr. Cortez's passion for public service is evidenced by his leadership roles in several community organizations and efforts. John-Michael is a Past President of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, and is a Past President of the Austin History Center Association. Mr. Cortez has also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Austin Partners in Education, Friends of the Austin Public Library, Austin Public Library Foundation, Austin Independent School District Foundation, Hispanic Scholarship Consortium of Central Texas, Liveablecity, and Austin Latino Music Association. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of East Austin and a founding member of FuturoFund Austin.

Due to his extensive work in the community, Mr. Cortez was appointed by the Austin City Council to serve on the Libraries for the Future Task Force, Zoning and Platting Commission, and Planning Commission. The Austin ISD Board of Trustees also appointed Mr. Cortez to serve on the Austin Community Education Consortium, and co-chair of the Task Force for the District Strategic Plan.

Mr. Cortez grew up working in his family's restaurants in Austin, was previously employed as a consultant at an Austin-based business development firm, co-founded and ran a local, small business in the construction industry, and served as Outreach Director for the Office of Congressman Lloyd Doggett. He currently serves as Community Involvement Team Coordinator for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

A native Austinite and third-generation attendee of UT-Austin, John-Michael is a rabid Longhorn fan, yet recently found himself falling in love with and happily marrying a wonderful Aggie, Priscilla Guajardo, and the two are eagerly expecting the arrival of their first child in the Spring of 2010.