City of Laredo Names Jesus Olivares as Interim City Manager

(Laredo, TX – December 3, 2014)  Last night, the Laredo City Council named Eagle Pass native and current Assistant City Manager Jesus Olivares as Interim City Manager.  Olivares was named interim following the retirement of former City Manager Carlos Villarreal at the November 17, 2014 City Council meeting.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration from South West Texas State University (now Texas State University), he started his career in the City of Austin then in 1982 moved back to the City of Eagle Pass as Director of the Parks Department.  He moved to Laredo in 1985 where he was Parks Director for five years before moving to the City of Austin where he served as the Parks & Recreation Director for one of the largest park systems in the country until 2004 when he returned to Eagle Pass to serve as the City Manager.  In 2007, Olivares was lured back to Laredo to serve as one of two Assistant City Managers, where he oversaw the Airport, Laredo Bridge System, Engineering, Environmental Services, Fleet, Public Works, Solid Waste, Traffic, Transit Metro Bus System, and the Water & Waste Water departments, which represents the operation division of the City’s management system. 

“The experience he developed in Eagle Pass and the leadership he has shown while here in Laredo makes it a great honor to have him here in Laredo, first as an Assistant City Manager and now as our Interim City Manager,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Esteban Rangel, District II.

District I Council Member Mike Garza echoed his colleague’s comments, stating, “We are very fortunate to have someone with Mr. Olivares’ experience and ability to get things done without any on the job training.”

Olivares has over 33 years in municipal management experience.