Joining the City of McAllen in 2014 as an Assistant City Manager, Joe Vera brings close to 40 years of public service to his current leadership role overseeing the Convention Center Facilities, Grant Administration, McAllen Public Library, Palm View Golf Course and the Parks and Recreation departments. Positioning McAllen as a regional destination city, Mr. Vera is responsible for the coordination and production of the City’s major events, including the annual McAllen Holiday Parade. In 2014, International Festivals and Events Association named the inaugural McAllen Holiday Parade the Best New Event. In 2015, the largest illuminated parade in Texas attracted over 240,000 attendees from Texas and Northern Mexico.
Prior to joining McAllen’s management team, Mr. Vera previously served as the City Manager of the City of Hidalgo and led the Hidalgo Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Vera is active in various local, state and national professional trade organizations and is past president of the Texas Festivals and Events Association and Texas Association of Fairs and Events. His honors include the International Festivals and Events Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement; Texas Festivals and Events Association Hall of Honor, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Professional of the Year Award; and United Way Volunteer Leader of Texas.
Mr. Vera attended Pan American University, Southern Methodist University Institute for Organization Management, and is a Certified Economic and Community Developer and Certified Festival & Event Executive.
Outside of work, Mr. Vera has dedicated decades of his life to community service organizations such as United Way, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lions Club, Boy Scouts and 4-H. Among his numerous distinctions, he is especially proud to be an Eagle Scout. Mr. Vera is married and has two children, one grandson and one granddaughter.