Rivera appointed deputy city manager for McAllen
The City of McAllen recently announced Michelle Rivera as its Deputy City Manager effective June 1.
Rivera comes equipped to the new role with about three decades of experience in public service across the Rio Grande Valley. A Monday release by McAllen said she’s had experience in Harlingen and Mercedes.
She joined the City of McAllen in July 2014 where she was an Assistant City Manager. Prior to that, she was Assistant City Manager in Mercedes. In Harlingen, she was the Planning Director and Interim Assistant City Manager.
With the newfound position, Rivera will oversee development services while utilizing her leadership across citywide initiatives that focus on infrastructure, economic growth, community development, and fiscal sustainability, the release said.
“I am honored and grateful for the trust placed in me by City Manager Tawil,” Rivera said in the Monday release. “It has been a privilege to serve McAllen and help shape its bright future. As Deputy City Manager, I look forward to new challenges and growth. I also will continue working with our incredible team and community partners to drive progress, strengthen our neighborhoods, and ensure McAllen remains the most dynamic and livable city in Texas.”
Mayor Javier Villalobos said that Rivera was the prime choice for the role.
“Michelle is a professional collaborator, a strategic thinker, and a business-minded leader,” the mayor said in a release. “Her deep knowledge of development, her professionalism, and her unwavering dedication to the public good make her the ideal choice for Deputy City Manager. Her experience in economic development, fiscal management, and community building makes her an invaluable asset to the City of McAllen.”
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil commended Rivera for what she will bring to the city.
“Michelle has consistently demonstrated not only a sharp understanding of city operations, but also a deep commitment to our community’s growth and success,” he said. “Her leadership has helped bring transformative projects to life in McAllen, and I am confident she will continue to deliver outstanding results in her new role. McAllen is fortunate to have a leader of her caliber as she adds tremendous value to our executive leadership team. As Deputy City Manager, she will play a vital role in guiding our city through its next phase of development and innovation.”
As Assistant City Manager of Development Services for McAllen, Rivera led initiatives that include establishing McAllen’s first Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ), which supported the successful location of the Texas A&M University- McAllen campus, as well as a second TIRZ for strategically placed drainage infrastructure. She has also overseen bond-funded construction projects, such as the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
Other accolades include her being a credentialed manager with the International City/County Management Association, a Certified Public Manager, a Certified Grant Writer, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the release by the city said.
Recently, she was recognized as the Texas City Manager’sAssociationAssistant of the Year and currently serves as Region-10 Representative for TCMA.
Rivera earned a Master’s degree of City & Regional Planning from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s of Urban Planning from Arizona State University.