The Clear Voice

La Marque, Texas is looking for its next City Manager.
In this PositionCast™, Mayor Keith Bell joins The Clear Voice host James Groom and Clear Career Professionals recruiters Brad Stafford and James Hopper to discuss the opportunity, the community, the council’s priorities, and the leadership qualities needed for La Marque’s next chapter.
Known as the Gateway to the Gulf, La Marque sits along the I-45 corridor between Houston and Galveston, offering a unique blend of hometown community, regional access, economic development opportunity, and strong local pride.
This conversation covers:
• The type of City Manager La Marque needs• Council and community expectations• City services, infrastructure, and fiscal accountability• Economic development along the I-45 corridor• Staff culture and organizational leadership• Stakeholder relationships and regional partnerships• What success could look like in the first year
For leaders who can manage people, build trust, communicate clearly, and lead with steady accountability, La Marque offers a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Learn more about this role and apply through Clear Career Professionals.
00:00 Opening: Getting La Marque Back on Track01:05 Introducing the La Marque City Manager Opportunity03:01 Mayor Keith Bell’s Public Service Journey05:29 Leadership, Diversity, and Community Voice11:49 Gateway to the Gulf: Location, Growth, and Opportunity19:48 What La Marque Needs from Its Next City Manager24:45 Leading a Passionate Council, Staff, and Community29:41 Desired Experience and Leadership Style33:48 Schools, Football, and Community Pride36:45 City Staff, Culture, and Organizational Leadership42:25 Accountability, Infrastructure, and Economic Development46:24 Building Relationships with Stakeholders and Regional Partners54:57 First-Year Success and Recruitment Details59:15 Candidate Advice from Clear Career Professionals1:02:07 Final Thoughts: Why La Marque1:07:56 Closing: Leave Your Mark on La Marque
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jim Devlin, we pick up with his transition from Police Chief to Assistant City Manager and what that move has taught him about leadership, succession planning, relationships, and service beyond the badge.
Jim talks about the natural progression from leading a department to helping lead an organization, the importance of collaboration across city departments, and why relationship building remains one of the most transferable skills in local government. He also shares thoughts on mental health and wellness in city management, the value of professional development through the Texas City Management Institute, and the importance of regional partnerships in serving communities well.
The episode closes with Jim’s advice for emerging public servants: know yourself, build relationships, stay humble, strive for excellence, and remember that people may forget the programs and projects, but they will remember how you treated them.
Chapters
00:00 - Welcome Back to Part 200:57 - Moving from Police Chief to Assistant City Manager06:17 - Skills That Transfer from Police Leadership to City Management11:55 - Leadership, Wellness, and Taking Care of Yourself12:45 - Mental Health in Public Safety and City Administration16:53 - Burnout, Pressure, and Secondhand Smoke in City Leadership19:43 - Texas City Management Institute24:43 - Borrowing Good Ideas and Making Them Fit Your Community25:51 - Hewitt, Waco, and the Real Central Texas32:33 - Regional Partnerships and Shared Services35:15 - Advice for Emerging Public Servants38:05 - Is a Career in Public Service Worth It?39:43 - Closing Thoughts
Connect with Jim Devlin on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-devlin-cpm-15886570/
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom and Michael Boese sit down with Bryan Lockerby to discuss leadership, law enforcement, city management, organizational assessments, and the lessons learned from more than four decades of public service.
Bryan shares perspective from his career in Montana law enforcement, including leading the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation, working with rural agencies, managing complex public safety challenges, and transitioning into city management. The conversation also covers leadership clarity, decision-making, mentorship, organizational health, and why strong systems matter long after individual leaders move on.
Chapters
00:00 Leadership Principles and Opening Thoughts03:55 Clarity Purpose and Courage in Decision-Making06:30 Difficult Decisions in Law Enforcement Leadership09:12 Early Career Lessons and the Value of Experience11:48 Rural Law Enforcement and Resource Challenges14:23 Community Relationships and Police Legitimacy17:01 How Law Enforcement Has Improved Over Time20:07 Recruitment Staffing and the Future of the Profession25:07 Officer Trauma Secondary Trauma and Mental Health27:33 The Complexity of Modern Law Enforcement31:26 Leading Montana’s Division of Criminal Investigation33:38 Major Cases Politics and Public Safety Priorities35:56 Building Effective Teams and Protecting the Mission37:19 Career Highlights Montana and Public Perception41:34 The Unique Challenges of Law Enforcement in Montana44:52 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to City Management49:29 Organizational Assessments Communication and Leadership Health54:39 Bryan’s Advice for Future Leaders
Learn more about Bryan Lockerby and Lockerby Leadership Group:
https://bryanlockerby.com/
Services:
https://bryanlockerby.com/services/
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom is joined by Joseph Lujan, author of Reflective Resonance, A Quiet Spark Approach to Authentic Leadership, and creator of the CAMP OUT Method.
Joseph shares his perspective on authentic leadership, generational change in the workplace, employee motivation, and the importance of leaders staying consistent, self aware, and emotionally present. The conversation explores how workplace culture has shifted since COVID, why autonomy and trust matter, and why leaders must be willing to reflect on their own influence before trying to improve the people around them.
Joseph also discusses his background in county probation, federal probation, and leadership, explaining how working with people under supervision shaped his understanding of human behavior. He shares practical lessons about individualizing leadership, building trust, avoiding robotic communication, and helping employees feel seen, valued, and heard.
The episode also breaks down Joseph’s CAMP OUT Method, which focuses on consistency, authenticity, mindfulness, purpose, optimizing leadership, upshifting, and transforming leadership practices. These concepts provide a practical framework for leaders who want to grow, strengthen their teams, and create healthier workplace cultures.
Joseph’s final takeaway is simple but important. Leaders need to show up authentically and genuinely. Employees notice more than leaders sometimes realize, and the way leaders communicate, respond, and carry themselves can shape the culture around them.
Resources
Reflective Resonance Websitehttps://www.reflectiveresonance.org/
Reflective Resonance Worksheetshttps://www.reflectiveresonance.org/documents/
Reflective Resonance Bookhttps://a.co/d/0fZNrEGQ
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction to Reflective Resonance and Authentic Leadership
00:02:47 Workplace Culture After COVID
00:05:20 Autonomy, Trust, and Accountability
00:07:32 Employee Motivation and Finding Purpose
00:10:05 Joseph Lujan’s Leadership Journey
00:12:53 Emotional Intelligence and Human Behavior
00:15:12 Common Leadership Failures
00:17:43 The Story Behind Reflective Resonance
00:22:11 Consistency in Leadership
00:24:14 Authenticity and Effective Leadership
00:25:31 Mindfulness in Leadership Communication
00:28:54 Purposeful Leadership and the Why
00:31:09 Optimizing Leadership Through Reflection
00:33:35 Upshift and Transform
00:36:15 Continuous Growth and Feedback
00:39:21 Final Takeaway, Showing Up Authentically
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Mayor Alejandro Flores from Los Fresnos, Texas joins The Clear Voice for a PositionCast™ focused on the City Manager opportunity there.
Los Fresnos is a growing South Texas community with strong local identity, respected schools, regional access, and major opportunities ahead. In this episode, Mayor Flores discusses his connection to the community, the City Council’s priorities, the organization, and the type of leader who can be successful in the role.
The conversation highlights responsible growth, infrastructure planning, budget management, communication with council, staff relationships, community involvement, and the importance of preserving the close community feel that makes Los Fresnos special.
Kent Myers, the recruiter for this search, also provides context for candidates. He discusses the stability of the organization, the strength of the existing staff team, the long tenure of the outgoing city manager, and the opportunity for the next City Manager to help guide the city through meaningful growth.
This PositionCast™ is designed to help prospective candidates better understand the community, the organization, the role, the City Council’s expectations, and the leadership fit needed in Los Fresnos.
This role can be found at https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/los-fresnos-city-manager-posting
Chapters
00:00:00 Cold Open: Why Candidates Should Look at Los Fresnos00:00:36 Introduction to the City Manager PositionCast00:02:07 Mayor Alejandro Flores and His Connection to Los Fresnos00:04:56 Leadership, Stewardship, and Council Priorities00:08:34 Communication, Onboarding, and Early Expectations00:10:27 City Services, Staff Leadership, and Organizational Culture00:13:02 Community Growth, Schools, and Falcon Pride00:18:11 Local Events, Culture, and Quality of Life00:20:40 South Padre Island, Outdoor Life, and Regional Access00:23:35 Infrastructure, Development, and Budget Priorities00:26:32 Ideal Candidate Qualities and Leadership Fit00:28:17 Kent Myers on Why This Opportunity Stands Out00:34:28 Application Process, Candidate Communication, and Closing Thoughts
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Jim Devlin joins James Groom for Part 1 of a 2 part conversation on leadership, accountability, culture, and the move from Police Chief to City Hall.
Jim serves as Assistant City Manager for the City of Hewitt, Texas, after nearly three decades in law enforcement, including more than a decade as Chief of Police. In this episode, he discusses dynamic leadership, correcting people without tearing them down, building trust inside an organization, and why culture matters in public service.
The conversation also covers Jim’s decision to move to Hewitt, the challenge of helping reshape an organization, the value of community connection, and how police leadership can prepare someone for broader municipal leadership.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jim Devlin
02:39 Dynamic leadership in law enforcement
07:00 Accountability and relationships
10:20 Correcting people without tearing them down
16:55 Taking on the challenge in Hewitt
23:04 Building community trust
26:10 Succession planning and leadership development
29:04 Culture fit in recruitment
32:02 Problem solving in local government
35:33 Moving from police chief to city hall
40:51 Part 2 Coming Soon Announcement
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

The City of Caldwell, Texas is searching for its next City Administrator, and this PositionCast™ episode gives candidates a deeper look at the community, the organization, and the leadership expectations behind the role.
James Groom, Host of The Clear Voice and Retired Chief of Police, is joined by Brad Stafford of Clear Career Professionals, outgoing Mayor Janice Easter, and incoming Mayor John Rychlik for a conversation about Caldwell’s future. The discussion covers Caldwell’s small town identity, growth pressures, downtown opportunity, infrastructure priorities, full service city operations, community partnerships, and the type of leader who can build trust with staff, council, residents, and regional partners.
Caldwell is described as a close knit Texas community with strong civic pride, a growing local economy, a historic downtown, major community events, strong parks and recreation assets, and a council focused on responsible growth. The next City Administrator will enter an organization with meaningful opportunities in communication, modernization, infrastructure planning, economic development, and community engagement.
This episode is especially useful for candidates who want to understand not just the job description, but the people, expectations, and leadership environment behind the opportunity.
For more information about this role by check the job posting: https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/caldwell-city-administrator-posting
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

In this PositionCast™ episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom and Michael Boese talk with Debbie Munoz, Executive Director of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, about the Human Resources Director opportunity at TMRS.
Debbie explains TMRS’ mission to provide secure lifetime income to members across 946 participating Texas cities, the organization’s statewide impact, and the culture that makes TMRS a meaningful place to work. The conversation covers the role of the next HR Director, including employee engagement, HR modernization, succession planning, learning management, leadership development, and the need for an authentic, people centered leader.
The episode also highlights TMRS’ Austin location, compensation and benefits, TMRS retirement participation, the Clear Career Professionals recruitment process, and why this role offers a unique opportunity to support the people who serve public servants across Texas.
More Information:For more information about the TMRS Human Resources Director position, including job details and application materials, visit:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/tmrs-human-resources-director-posting
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction to TMRS and the Human Resources Director recruitment
00:03:21 Understanding TMRS, mission, structure, and statewide service
00:06:45 What makes TMRS unique for cities and members
00:11:47 TMRS funding, stability, and fiduciary responsibility
00:14:51 TMRS culture and employee engagement
00:19:14 The HR Director role, reporting structure, and team size
00:22:14 Rebranding HR and building employee trust
00:24:21 Modernizing HR systems, knowledge transfer, and AI
00:25:52 Training, continuing education, and learning management
00:26:16 Candidate traits, communication, and leadership presence
00:27:17 Why city HR leaders should consider TMRS
00:29:33 Measuring success for the next HR Director
00:32:25 Why this opportunity stands out
00:33:32 TMRS office location and working in Austin
00:34:55 Living in Austin and the community environment
00:37:33 Compensation, benefits, and TMRS retirement participation
00:40:06 The Clear Career Professionals recruitment process
00:41:37 Upcoming TMRS Governmental Relations Director recruitment
00:42:24 Sneak peek at the Governmental Relations Director role
00:45:29 Final message for candidates considering TMRS
00:47:12 Closing and how to learn more
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Katie Hagen, CEO of CPS HR Consulting, joins Host of The Clear Voice James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese for a conversation about public sector HR, workforce challenges, organizational change, and the future of public service.
Katie brings decades of public sector leadership experience, including senior roles in California state government, where she worked in HR, civil service reform, organizational turnaround, and change management. In this episode, she discusses why hiring challenges are often about more than salary, how agencies can reduce barriers for applicants, why professional development still matters, and how public organizations can use technology without losing the human side of human resources.
James and Michael join Katie to explore recruitment, candidate communication, civil service systems, organizational assessments, public sector partnerships, and the importance of helping agencies move forward before problems become crises.
Topics include public sector HR, workforce challenges, hiring barriers, candidate experience, salary and flexibility, public service motivation, organizational turnaround, change management, civil service systems, AI, technology, professional development, organizational assessments, workforce planning, internships, apprenticeships, and keeping people at the center of public service.
Learn more about CPS HR Consulting:https://www.cpshr.us/
Learn more about Katie Hagen:https://www.cpshr.us/katie-hagen/
Contact Katie Hagen:khagen@cpshr.us
00:00 Introduction to Public Sector Challenges03:58 Understanding Hiring Challenges in the Public Sector06:28 Generational Perspectives on Public Service08:48 Katie Hagen's Journey in HR and Leadership11:03 Leading Change in Public Sector Organizations13:29 The Political Landscape of Public Sector Leadership15:55 CPS HR Consulting and Public Sector HR Solutions17:50 Maintaining Culture Across a Remote Team20:14 Current Trends in Public Sector Recruitment22:47 Building Talent Pipelines for the Future Workforce25:10 Streamlining the Hiring Process for Applicants26:48 Candidate Communication and Modern Recruitment29:49 The Role of Technology in Public Sector HR32:18 Balancing AI and Human Interaction in HR34:29 Understanding Organizational Dynamics Before Acting36:55 Finding Simple Solutions to Complex Problems39:36 Professional Development for HR Leaders41:55 The Future of the Public Sector Workforce43:25 Organizational Assessments Before Crisis43:39 Employee Development in a Technology Driven Workplace44:54 Basic Technology Skills Still Matter46:12 TMHRA, CPS HR, and Public Sector Partnerships47:42 Final Advice for Public Service Leaders
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

The City of Victoria, Texas is recruiting its next Deputy City Manager, and this PositionCast™ episode gives candidates a closer look at the opportunity, the organization, and the leadership environment.
James Groom, Host of The Clear Voice, is joined by Kelly Kuenstler, retired city manager and recruiter for this position, and Jesús Garza, City Manager for the City of Victoria. Together, they discuss why Victoria is creating this Deputy City Manager role, what the City needs from the successful candidate, and why this opportunity may appeal to experienced local government executives.
Victoria is a regional hub of approximately 65,000 residents, located between San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and Corpus Christi. The community offers a strong mix of big city amenities and small town character, with retail, restaurants, outdoor recreation, access to the Guadalupe River, and proximity to the Texas coast.
A major theme of this episode is stability. Victoria operates under a council manager form of government, with a seven member City Council that includes the Mayor. City Manager Jesus Garza describes a governing environment marked by alignment, professionalism, and a shared focus on the entire community. That stability matters for candidates who want to join an organization where elected officials, staff, and the public are generally moving in the same direction.
This Deputy City Manager role is designed to support continuity of progress. Victoria has seen recent internal promotions and leadership transitions, and the City is being intentional about strengthening executive capacity for the future. The position is not framed around finding one candidate who can do everything. Instead, Victoria is considering two clear candidate pathways.
One pathway is for an experienced public safety leader. A candidate with this background may bring value in areas such as police, fire, municipal court, dispatch, emergency management, civil service, collective bargaining, and public safety operations. Victoria recently brought multiple public safety functions into a new 70,000 square foot public safety headquarters, creating new opportunities for coordination, collaboration, and strategic planning.
The second pathway is for an experienced economic development or growth focused leader. A candidate with this background may help advance the City’s Growing Victoria initiative, support population and tax base growth, strengthen the use of the City’s Type B economic development corporation, and help move major strategic priorities forward.
Victoria is not requiring candidates to have both public safety and economic development experience. Either pathway may be the right fit. The goal is to find an experienced executive who complements the existing leadership team and brings depth, judgment, and leadership capacity in one of these key areas.
The episode also covers Victoria’s full service municipal operations, including water, wastewater, landfill services, residential trash collection, tourism, public safety, parks, infrastructure, and other core city functions. The City has 656 authorized full time employees and a fiscal year 2026 operating budget of approximately $255 million.
Candidates will also hear about Victoria’s workplace culture, employee retention efforts, new public safety investments, strategic planning, master planning, infrastructure work, downtown improvements, parks improvements, and the Victoria 2035 comprehensive plan. Jesus also discusses his leadership style, which he describes as mission driven, transformational, and focused on developing the next generation of leaders.
For candidates preparing for the interview process, the advice is straightforward. Do the research. Victoria has major plans, priorities, and investments already in motion. Candidates who understand the community, the organization, and the opportunity will be better prepared to show how their experience can help Victoria continue its momentum.
Learn more about the Victoria Deputy City Manager opportunity here:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/victoria-deputy-city-manager-opportunity
The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunitieshttps://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities LinkedInhttps://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro