NEW CITY MANAGER

Judson Rex to lead Team Garland

Since accepting an appointment from the Garland City Council to serve as City Manager on Jan. 17, Judson Rex (pictured above with Mayor Scott LeMay) has been focused on building the team to help further define Garland’s path for the coming years.

Rex joined Team Garland two years ago as the Assistant City Manager for Planning and Economic Development. He is stepping into this new role following the retirement of Bryan Bradford, who will serve as City Manager Emeritus until May 1.

"I am incredibly excited and honored to serve as City Manager," Rex noted. "Garland is a remarkable community with momentum toward a bright future. I'm honored to serve alongside the passionate women and men who strive every day to serve the 250,000 people that call Garland home. Together, we will move Garland forward."

Mayor LeMay said the City Council is impressed with the new City Manager's vision and energy. "With our many bond projects and community initiatives, we have achieved so much in the past few years. Jud has been an integral part of that growth since he arrived here and I know he can direct our organization to that next, important level."

Prior to joining Garland, Rex served as City Manager of Denison, Texas, and Town Manager of Strasburg, Virginia. Rex holds a bachelor's degree in Planning and Resource Management from Brigham Young University and a master's degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. Rex and his wife, Jennifer, have three daughters, Lauren, Chloe and Olivia, and have resided in Garland since 2021.

The new City Manager is beginning his tenure by enhancing a strong team of leaders to support the City's goals and vision. That team already included Mitch Bates, Garland’s Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer, and Assistant City Manager Phillip Urrutia.

On Jan. 23, two Assistant City Managers joined the City's leadership team: Crystal Owens (pictured left) and Andy Hesser (below). Both have served the City as Managing Directors.

"Crystal and Andy have proven themselves to be effective leaders in Garland and I'm excited for them to join our executive team. They have tremendous experience and, more importantly, have the right approach and attitude to lead Team Garland forward," Rex said.

Owens joined Team Garland in January 2022 to oversee public works departments, including Engineering, Transportation, Streets and the Project Management Office. Before coming to Garland she served the City of DeSoto as Managing Director of Development Services. She is a licensed Professional Engineer.

Hesser began serving Garland in 2019 as Managing Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts (PRCAD) and has 27 years in parks and recreation service. Garland's team earned the Gold Medal Award from the Texas Recreation & Park Society in 2022. Since 2019, Hesser's departments have developed four master plans: Cultural Arts, PRCAD, Trails and Aquatics.