(McAllen, TX) At their annual conference last week, the Texas City Managers Association (TCMA) named McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E., as City Administrator (City Manager) of the Year.   Highlighting his accomplishments since being named city manager in 2014, TCMA recognized that the growth and success of McAllen is attributed to the vision set by Rodriguez for the city and its employees.

“Quality, well-run cities do not just happen,” said David Harris, president of TCMA and City Manager for the City of Balcones Heights.  “Quality comes from assembling and having a great team of people around you.  Once in place, it is then that a City team can accomplish great long-lasting projects and achieve a sense of community.  McAllen City Manager Roy Rodriguez has done just this.”

This sentiment is echoed in the words of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, who says, “What has impressed me most about seeing his management style is how he helps make everyone around him better because he believes in their talents and skills.  He is able to motivate employees and commissioners alike to help make the entire City of McAllen the example by which other municipalities measure themselves against.”

From implementing a $45 million bond program that includes projects such as a state-of-the-art performing arts center, hotels, vibrant restaurants, and retail space attracting national conferences and performances to infrastructure projects such as youth baseball and softball complexes, people across the state are noting the wins of team McAllen.  Additionally, he lead the efforts to streamline the construction and development process, promoting business and residential growth,  demonstrating McAllen’s business friendly attitude and contributing to its strong economy.  Finally, community events and programs such as the McAllen Holiday Parade, McAllen BCycle, McAllen Marathon, and other events that focus on family-friendly and health-conscious community events prove that McAllen is definitely a leader among not only in the Rio Grande Valley, but throughout the state of Texas.

All of these accomplishments can be attributed to the leadership of Rodriguez.

According to Assistant City Manager Michelle Leftwich, City Manager Rodriguez’s “greatest asset is his public servant heart that makes him a strong and confident leader who never wavers in his desire to be transparent to the community he loves and to do the right thing for every citizen he meets.”

An engineer by trade and with over 30 years of experience in management, Rodriguez has worked with the City of McAllen since 2004, first as General Manager for McAllen Public Utilities and later, in a dual position as assistant city manager. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&I University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas – Pan American.  Rodriguez has also served on various state boards related to municipal government and utilities management.  Locally, he also serves on the Public Administration Advisory Council at South Texas College and the Texas A&M University Kingsville College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board. 

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