Ohio native boasts extensive Texas state agency experience
Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TX – The City of McAllen has hired Steve Kotsatos as its new Director of Health and Environmental Code Enforcement. The Ohio native has 17 years of government experience, with six years of health services experience at both the municipal and state level.
Kotsatos has a broad range of expertise in the field, including a strong knowledge of code enforcement and environmental issues, as well as public health and restaurant food safety issues.
“The City of McAllen is proud to have Steve as our Health and Environmental Code Enforcement Director, leading the efforts to keep our community safe and healthy to best serve our citizens and community,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “He stood out amongst a strong pool of applicants based on his understanding of health issues, environmental enforcement, and government processes.”
Prior to coming on board with the City of McAllen, Kotsatos was a Compliance Officer and Sanitarian with the State of Texas Department of State Health Services. There, he was responsible for the state’s Food & Drug Administration’s inspections and investigations of food manufacturing, distribution and salvage operations throughout Texas, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Additionally, he reviewed data evidence, prepared cases for escalated enforcement and served as an expert witness in administrative hearings.
Some key accomplishments Kotsatos achieved were maintaining his federal and state credentials and remaining knowledgeable of industry regulations. Additionally, he was instrumental in providing information and assistance on food and drug regulations as requested by citizens, industry, and various levels of government agencies.
Kotsatos also worked with the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department, where he served as a health leader on educating and enforcing various environmental issues.
Kotsatos began his career with the Summit County Board of Elections in Akron, Ohio. He has a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Akron. Aside from serving as the City of McAllen’s Health Director, Kotsatos will serve as presiding officer of the Registered Sanitarian Advisory Committee for the State of Texas Department State Health Services, as well as the newly created Task Force of Border Health Officials, as stipulated in Texas Senate Bill 1680.
“I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the City of McAllen, where I will be not only helping my community but also be part of the progress of the border’s health issues that will continue making an impact in the lives of the citizens of McAllen and beyond,” said Kotsatos.
