Austin, a construction management veteran specializing in performance venues, brings to his new post over 25 years of experience, including overseeing completion of construction for the Carnival Center in Miami and leadership roles in the construction of the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati and the Schuster Center for the Arts in Dayton.

Reynold Levy, president of Lincoln Center, said in a statement, "Ron brings outstanding leadership, experience, and communication skills to work successfully with Lincoln Center constituents, government entities, the design and construction team and community leaders to realize our exciting, multidimensional redevelopment project."

Ground was broken last year on a comprehensive redevelopment plan to transform the 16.3-acre Lincoln Center campus. Construction is proceeding on schedule for the West 65th Street plan, the Josie Robertson Plaza/Columbus Avenue frontage (the "Promenade Project"), and the Central Mechanical Plant initiative. Construction on these projects is expected to be substantially completed in time for Lincoln Center's 50th anniversary celebration in 2009-1010.

Austin succeeds Jerry Hastings, who resigned last month.