• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, January 10, 2013

Austin-based T3 has named Rick Doerr president and chief client officer, replacing agency founder Gay Gaddis in the president’s role. Gaddis, a veteran ad executive and Texan rancher who funded the launch of T3 by cashing in an IRA, will remain CEO and “brand ambassador.”

Doerr’s elevation to the No. 2 post at T3 comes less than one year after joining the agency as senior vice president and managing director of its New York office from managing director of the South China operations of Omnicom’s BBDO unit.

“As T3 has grown, we have recognized a need to both divide and concentrate key managerial roles,” Gaddis said in a statement announcing the digital agency’s reorganization. “Rick’s leadership and innate ability to build great relationships with our clients has been instrumental in our growth over the past year.”

The appointment comes as T3 has been expanding its presence outside of its Austin headquarters in both New York and San Francisco, especially with East Coast clients such as Allstate, Chase, Sprite and UPS.