(Seguin) — The city of Seguin has promoted two longtime department leaders into key administrative roles as part of an effort they say will strengthen city operations and continue building on its organizational success.
City officials recently announced that Tim Howe, director of utilities, and Melissa Reynolds, director of capital projects and engineering, have both been promoted to assistant city manager positions following the retirement of former Assistant City Manager Rick Cortez in February.
Seguin City Manager Steve Parker says Howe, who joined the city in 2017, is a natural fit for the position. He says Howe, who has more than three decades of experience, will oversee utilities, public works, parks and recreation, Starcke Park Golf Course, and facilities departments.
“Tim Howe, who’s our utilities director now, will actually step into the new role vacated by Rick Cortez. And Tim is an exceptional leader as well, has that type of, you know, he really wants to be engaged with the community, make sure he’s out there getting to know all the players in the community. And that’s going to be a really great thing because, you know, that’s exactly what we want. leaders out there in the community, providing information to our citizens so that when we do have a big issue, they all know who to go to, who to trust. And Tim, his customer service level is beyond reproach. He’s going to do a great job,” said Parker.
Parker says Reynolds’ promotion also recognizes the significant impact she has already made on the city while allowing her to continue serving as city engineer. In addition to continuing those engineering responsibilities, he says she will oversee the Capital Projects and Engineering, Planning and Codes, and Main Street/Destination Seguin departments.
“Melissa’s position was not an actual new position. It was just an upgrade to her title. She will take on some additional responsibilities. but she will still remain our city engineer who’s done a phenomenal job over the last several years, getting our organization up to a next level city, putting in new standards related to drainage, infrastructure projects and so forth. She’s just been doing an outstanding job and needed to be commended for that work and she’s a great asset to the team,” said Parker.
Parker says both leaders will play a critical role in maintaining the momentum –moving the city forward.
“Him and Melissa both will be facilitators of creating and keeping this culture that we’ve worked so hard to create here in Seguin. And really, that customer service-oriented team, we want that to continue. And I’m just so excited that we’re able to fill these positions from in-house and not have to go outside and get people up to speed. They’re going to do a phenomenal job. So, I’m really excited about them,” said Parker.
Meanwhile, the city will be hiring a new director of utilities to replace Howe.
Interviews for the job are expected to be held in the next few weeks. Once that position is filled, then Howe will be stepping into his new role full-time.