Texas Border Business
Pharr, Texas – Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission appointed Deputy City Manager Edward M. Wylie as Interim City Manager during the city meeting held on Monday, October 15, 2018. The appointment was announced following the departure of former City Manager Juan Guerra, who served in the position since 2015. The commission also gave authorization for Mayor Hernandez to begin an official search for a permanent City Manager.
Wylie began his career in municipal government in 1993, serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Pharr Fire Department, while still a student at PSJA High School. As he began his professional career, he entered public service and has been employed with the City of Pharr in various capacities, including as Assistant Director of Planning, Planning Director, Assistant City Manager, and the past year as Deputy City Manager under the guidance and direction of Mr. Guerra.
When asked what his biggest challenge has been while serving the citizens of Pharr, Wylie reflected on his time as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Pharr during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. “That was a real game-changer for all of us,” he said. “I feel very proud that I was in a position to lead the response to safeguard City of Pharr assets such as our water supply, government buildings, employees, and our citizens,” he continued.
Wylie has taken on the role and responsibilities of City Manager while the city begins its search for a permanent City Manager.
“I appreciate the trust that Mayor Hernandez and the Pharr City Commission have placed in me to serve as Interim City Manager,” said Wylie. “There’s no higher calling in terms of a career than public service and I have always served the public to the best of my ability,” he stated. “Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly, we must have sincerity and integrity in our service to the public as well.”
He added, “It’s our job to give everyone in our community a chance to succeed. When we enhance people’s chances at success, we make a difference in their lives. Government’s first duty is to all the people.”
