Texas Border Business
Juan Guerra is doing what he knows how to do best. A prompt promotion from Finance Director to a newly created executive position, Guerra has delivered in only two months a 24% reduction in financial audit operations, 49% efficiency in the budget process, significant increase in fiscal transparency to the community, Columbia University strategic training, a national budget award, a national award for financial reporting, and the International City/County Manager Association’s most prominent and rigorous award: Certificate of Excellence in Performance Management. All of this has been accomplished by Guerra’s first nine months in Colorado.
In April 2021, Texas Border Business provided an update on Guerra, and the article concluded with a statement that has turned out to be a premonition. “His lists of accomplishments in helping the public are not over yet. There are still great things ahead for Juan Guerra.”
Those who know Guerra are not surprised; making positive impacts that help the community, and the organization seems to be an expected norm.
I asked Guerra for the secret to his success; he stated, “I believe God gives everyone special skills. it’s up to them how they use them.” He continued, “In my case, I use them to develop a team to help improve the lives of residents within the community. It is fulfilling. I am not making someone richer; instead, I am improving a community by helping those from all income levels have a better quality of life, better public safety while taking care of the employees.”
Guerra’s career began as a U.S. Marine, honorably serving as one of America’s protectors. While in the Marine Corps, he served in the logistics field as an operations auditor, auditing 13 departments and reporting operational war readiness to the Commanding General. Guerra ended up being recognized for outstanding performance with two meritorious promotions and eight awards. After being honorably discharged, Guerra started his career in local government. He began in La Feria, TX as an Accountant and quickly became the Finance Director. He then went to Sherman, TX as the Finance Director, followed by Fort Worth, TX as the Accounting Manager (equivalent to Comptroller), and then in 2007, he came to Pharr, TX as the Finance Director. While in Pharr, Guerra’s values as a fiscal conservative-led to many accomplishments, numerous awards, and promotions, first as Finance Director, followed Chief Financial Officer, Pharr International Bridge Director, and then City Manager.
It’s no surprise that other cities started noticing. One of them was just up the road, the City of Edinburg, where Mayor Richard Molina had taken notice of Guerra’s style of success and wanted that leadership to improve services to the community, fix the operations, and stabilize his management team.
Within the first month in Edinburg, Guerra was able to identify three main opportunities for improvement which are still benefitting Edinburg today: 1) organizational development, 2) fiscal strength, and 3) public safety. Guerra quickly met with the executive team and implemented leadership traits and principles to work as a team and understand what was expected of them.
He then analyzed the finances and changed cash management practices, freeing up millions in annual funds for operations and projects to be funded appropriately. Lastly, Guerra overhauled the leadership at the Police Department, resulting in a notable decrease of 30% in the crime rate. (Guerra’s time with Edinburg was impactful with many accomplishments; it ended when a new political majority came into power and wanted to head in a new direction. Guerra’s separation agreement specifically stated it was “not performance-related.”
While Guerra’s leadership style and high expectations may be new to Colorado, his reputation for accountability, responsibility, and no-nonsense were hallmarks of his time in Pharr and Edinburg.
Pharr Assistant City Manager, Mrs. Anali Alanis, is a perfect example of Guerra’s leadership and mentorship. She stated, “working with Mr. Guerra was a rewarding experience for me, not easy but most definitely rewarding. In his own very unique way, Mr. Guerra pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to be better. His management style is one with much structure and accountability. Working under his direction allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.” Alanis was Human Resources Director under Guerra.
Colorado is now experiencing Guerra’s leadership style and professionalism. Gunnison County Manager, Matthew Birnie, stated “Juan has been an excellent addition to our team as Chief Financial Officer. He brings outstanding financial expertise to our team and has gotten right to work building our capacity and leading our finance team after the difficult absence and ultimate passing of our longtime Finance Director. Juan brings a focus on excellence and delivering results to customers that fits right in with our organizational culture. His friendly demeanor and can-do attitude are impressive and I am thrilled to have him contributing to Gunnison County’s success.”
It’s a pleasant surprise that South Texas talent is making strides in other places, helping those communities, and representing South Texas honorably. Although losing him in this region is not ideal, this is called brain-drain. There are heads of entities that look forward to when Guerra returns to help this growing area with his unique process-improvement management, moral leadership, and anti-corruption character.
