Jeff Johnston currently serves the City of McAllen as an Assistant City Manager, and as the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator. Having served the city since 2014, Mr. Johnston oversees Public Works, McAllen Metro, and the 3-1-1 Call Center, as well as numerous internal departments including Human Resources, Employee Benefits, Risk Management, Purchasing, and Information Technology. He also supervises Emergency Management staff, as well as the staff of the Rio Grande Valley Regional Radio System.
Involved in public service for over 30 years, Mr. Johnston began his local government career as a part-time Emergency Medical Technician. His public safety background includes certifications and work in local and federal law enforcement, structural and wildland firefighting, emergency medicine, and emergency management.
Prior to arriving in McAllen, he served as the Vice President of the Brownsville, Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau before spending over 16 years at the City of Brownsville, in positions including Emergency Management Coordinator, Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and Assistant City Manager.
Mr. Johnston holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from Texas A&M University, as well as a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers. Among numerous local, regional, and state boards and associations, Jeff has served on the Board of the Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT), and currently sits on the Texas Public Works Emergency Response Council, as well as Texas City Management Association (TCMA) Board of Directors, where he also serves on the TCMA Ethics Committee.
Mr. Johnston is an ordained Deacon and enjoys opportunities to serve others through his local church. He is married and has nine children and three grandchildren.