Alyssa Tharrett

Alyssa Tharrett is a licensed architect and accomplished public sector leader with more than twenty years of experience specializing in the planning and design of recreation and aquatic facilities. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan.
She currently serves as Project Management Supervisor for the Architectural Development Division at the Austin Parks and Recreation Department in Austin. In this capacity, she leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering more than $200 million in capital improvement projects, guiding the design and implementation of parks, recreation centers, and public amenities citywide.

In addition to her leadership in architectural development, Alyssa plays a critical role in advancing strategic and financial initiatives for the department. She is leading efforts related to a proposed 2026 bond package, supporting long-range planning and helping to shape future investments in Austin’s park system.

Prior to joining the City of Austin, Alyssa spent over fifteen years in private architectural practice in Colorado, where she contributed to firms specializing in park and recreation design, aquatic facilities, and sports and fitness environments. Her portfolio includes a range of notable projects, such as the Scott Carpenter Park Pool and Bathhouse in Boulder, Colorado; Eagle Pointe Recreation Center in Commerce City, Colorado; the Birmingham Country Club Fitness Center addition in Birmingham, Alabama; and the Downtown Denver YMCA renovation.
Alyssa’s professional trajectory was influenced early on by her father, Stephen Tharrett, a respected leader in the health and fitness industry, whose work inspired her commitment to designing spaces that promote wellness, activity, and community engagement.

Outside of her professional work, Alyssa enjoys a quiet and creative home life with her husband Ben and their two cats, Zero and Tadao.”