Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen continues to be recognized for excellence and its commitment to public service with another pair of accolades awarded by the Texas City Management Association (TCMA). McAllen Assistant City Manager Jeff Johnston was awarded the TCMA Excellence in Ethics and Integrity Award, while Assistant City Manager Michelle Rivera was elected to the TCMA Board of Directors representing Region 10.
The purpose of the TCMA Excellence in Ethics and Integrity Award is to recognize TCMA members who have served in the local government profession with dignity, honor, and integrity and have demonstrated exceptional ethics while carrying out their duties in local government.
“Ethics and integrity are the cornerstones of professional local government management,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “As a public servant, Jeff has continuously demonstrated professionalism, strong moral character and selflessness in his work. Whether as a key member of my administration team, his strong guidance as McAllen’s Emergency Management Coordinator, or as the lead in handling McAllen’s response to the immigrant asylum-seekers for the past 10 years, I can always look to Jeff to do the right thing.”
Johnston has always demonstrated a strong moral code of ethics throughout his career, which started in the City of Brownsville over 35 years ago and continues now with the City of McAllen. He is not only often tapped to present on ethics and integrity to new employees during their onboarding with the City of McAllen, he also fields calls from employees and city management staff from throughout the Rio Grande Valley, asking about ethical dilemmas and situations.
TCMA Region 10 consists of Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr, Willacy and Zapata counties. As a state board member, Michelle Rivera will represent Region 10 at state board meetings, will serve on various committees, and will assist in producing assignments, gathering reports, and attending regional TCMA meetings. She will join McAllen City Manager Rodriguez, who currently serves as Region 10 President.
“Michelle’s years of experience, her professionalism and mission to always help educate and improve those around her make her an excellent choice for board member to represent Region 10,” added Rodriguez. “I am proud to have such a strong management team by my side daily, as we all serve the residents of McAllen.
Rivera has over 30 years of municipal service spanning three cities. She is a Certified Public Manager and an ICMA credentialled manager, and a member of the American Planning Association, Texas City Management Association, and International City Management Association. She recently graduated from the 2023 class of Texas Women’s Leadership Institute.
