West Lake Hills officials concluded their search for a new city administrator with the appointment of Travis Askey on Jan. 15.

Askey filled the city’s final staff vacancy, taking on the role previously filled by former city administrator Robert Wood, who held the position for 12 years. Council voted to discontinue Wood’s employment Aug. 28 and later ratified a contract with Strategic Government Resources to begin the recruitment process.

Askey had a long career with the city of Bee Cave working as the assistant city manager for 10 years and the city manager for four, before formally retiring from the position in May of 2018. He received an education in business management and public administration from the University of Redlands in Irvine, California, and is a member of the Lake Travis and Bee Cave chambers of commerce and the Texas City Management Association.

The community was formally introduced to the new city administrator during a special called City Council meeting Jan. 15. West Lake Hills officials has also scheduled a private lunch Jan. 16 for Askey to meet with city staff and council members not on the city administrator search committee, according to an email from Mayor Linda Anthony.