• by Larissa Faw , October 3, 2016

Austin-based agency T3 has promoted Ben Gaddis to president and has further expanded its C-Suite with the addition of COO Christian Barnard and Chief Technology Officer Nelan Schwartz. 

Gaddis, the stepson of T3 founder Gay Gaddis, was previously chief innovation officer at the agency, which he joined in 2009. Gay Gaddis had been president and CEO and will retain the CEO title. 

The agency confirmed that Ben Gaddis’ elevation will free his stepmother up to focus a bit more on activities outside the agency such as speaking to industry and women’s groups while still having a hand in running the agency. 

Barnard brings more than 20 years of experience to T3 including leading the Austin office operations for Razorfish. He also served in management roles at SapientNitro, design firm frog, and AT&T. He replaces Keith Johnston.  

Schwartz, the new CTO, is also a veteran of frog where he worked for 16 years, most recently as executive technology director in Munich.