Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen has hired Eduardo Mendoza as its new Director of Engineering. The Rio Grande Valley resident has over 20 years of experience in engineering, construction management, policy development, budgeting, fiscal management and operational management, serving recently as the Interim Director of Engineering for the City of McAllen. Before that, he led the department as the Deputy Director since 2015, where he managed and completed major projects, including the McAllen Performing Arts Center Construction; Anzalduas Northbound Canopy and Lane Expansion Design and Construction; the Hidalgo International Port of Entry Improvement Project; and the Fire Station #2 Design and Construction.
“The City of McAllen is proud to have Eduardo as our new Engineering director, helping us lead growth, expansion and development of the community,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “Eduardo has been dedicated to the City of McAllen for over 18 years and was ready for this new challenge.”
Some key accomplishments Mendoza implemented while serving as deputy director included overseeing and directing the engineering design services, inspection, land development and capital projects for the City of McAllen, as well as providing engineering services for all municipal departments. For the past seven years, he was charged with preparing and developing the five-year operational budget with an approximate annual operational budget of $2.25 million and over $99 million in capital improvement projects. Mendoza also oversaw the 30 employees within the department, while overseeing private development in the community and their affect on city streets, storm system and related public infrastructure, ensuring compliance with appropriate ordinances.
In this role, he was also responsible for establishing and maintaining working relationships with City advisory board members, which included engineers, contractors, developers and the public. Mendoza also represented the City of McAllen to other local, state and federal jurisdictions to advocate City policies regarding engineering for responsible development, exchange ideas and resolve conflicts.
Mendoza joined the Traffic Operations Division of the City of McAllen Engineering Department in 2003, starting out as a traffic coordinator, and later, moving up to deputy director and then later, becoming Director of Traffic Operations.
He was responsible for the design of municipal projects for traffic signals, signs, pavement markings and other transportation projects. He reviewed existing traffic signal timing plans for coordination, efficiency and safety, designing new timing plans to minimize congestion, accidents and travel delays. Mendoza performed comprehensive traffic speed and accident studies for multi-way stops, intersection traffic signals, school zones and railroad crossings. He also reviewed accident data and made recommendations for safety improvements.
Prior to his tenure with the City of McAllen Engineering Department, Mendoza was a traffic engineering assistant with the City of Dallas where is conducted comprehensive traffic studies, implemented light-rail pre-emption and responded to city officials, staff and the general public on issues relating to traffic, transportation and road safety.
A native of Hebbronville, Texas, Mendoza earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Texas A&M-Kingsville and later earned a Master of Public Administration from University of Texas Pan American. He is also a licensed Texas Professional Engineer and Traffic Operations Engineer.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve our community and the City of McAllen team,” said Mendoza. “I have learned from great City leaders and appreciate the City of McAllen for allowing me to serve in this position. I look forward to serving the great citizens of McAllen,” he concluded.
