Thomas E. Austin

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Thomas E. Austin
ArchitectAustin.jpg
Architect of the Capitol
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 24, 2024
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1994–2023
Unit 18th Engineer Brigade

Thomas E. Austin is an American professional engineer serving as the 13th Architect of the Capitol (AOC) beginning on June 24, 2024. He oversees the office of the architect, which manages the United States Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C., and its more than 2,400 employees. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Education and Career

Austin earned his Master of Science from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Engineering Management, his MBA from Webster University and his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

He served in the U.S. Army for 29 years as an engineer in the 18th Engineer Brigade. [4]

Austin then served for four years as the Arlington National Cemetery director of engineering, where he oversaw the Southern Expansion project. [5] He also directed the restoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. [6]

Architect of the Capitol

Following the passage of the Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2024, a bipartisan congressional commission was created to select a new architect. [7] [8] Austin was nominated unanimously by this bicameral Congressional Committee on May 22, 2024. [5] He was sworn in on June 24, 2024. [9]

The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, including the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate Office Buildings, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Botanic Garden and the Capitol Arboretum.

Awards

Austin was awarded the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge during his military service. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Architect of the Capitol. "Thomas E. Austin". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  2. ↑ Congressional Record Daily. "ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL APPOINTMENT". congress.gov. U.S. Congress. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ Roche, Daniel Jonas (July 8, 2024). "Thomas Austin appointed Architect of the Capitol after January 6–related fallout against predecessor". The Architect's Newspaper. AN Media Group. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  4. ↑ Austin, Thomas. "Thomas Austin, PE, CCM, PMP's Post". LinkedIn. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Klobuchar, Amy. "Congressional Commission Announces Architect of the Capitol Appointment". Senator Amy Klobuchar. U.S. Senate. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  6. ↑ Arlington National Cemetary. "Arlington National Cemetery's Southern Expansion Project". Arlington National Cemetary. U.S. Military. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ Tully-McManus, Katherine (December 14, 2023). "Congress claws back hiring and firing power for the Capitol building's top manager". Politico.
  8. ↑ H.R. 2670 (118th Congress, PL118-31), SEC. 5702 of the Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2024, FY24NDAA.
  9. ↑ "Meet the Architect: Q&A with Thomas E. Austin". www.aoc.gov. Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
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