BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez will depart the municipality at the end of the year. She tendered her resignation at Tuesday’s Brownsville City Commission meeting, citing medical issues within her family.
Ramirez, ICMA-CM, AIC, a native of California, is the first female city manager in Brownsville’s storied history. The 18th largest city in Texas, Brownsville incorporated in 1853.
Ramirez started as deputy city manager in 2019, while simultaneously serving as executive director & CEO of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. She moved up to city manager three years ago.
She has more than 20 years of experience in municipal government, urban planning, and economic development, including ten years of experience working in the private sector, including a number of years in Spain.
Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Science in City & Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo, is a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association and holds an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. She is a member of the Texas City Managers Association (TCMA), American Planning Association (APA) and is a founding board member of the Texas City Manager’s Leadership Circle.
“Helen Ramirez has led Brownsville through one of the most transformative periods in our City's history,” said Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr. “Her leadership, professionalism and vision have set the foundation for a strong and prosperous future for our community. We thank her for her dedicated service and wish her and her family the very best.”
Ramirez said: “I’m deeply proud of what we have accomplished together as One City in Brownsville. Through the visionary leadership of Mayor John Cowen Jr, and the steadfast support of our City Commission, we have transformed Brownsville into a City of opportunity, collaboration and innovation. I'm profoundly grateful for their guidance, partnership and commitment towards ensuring our shared success. The remarkable progress we see today reflects the leadership and the tireless dedication of over 1,300 city employees.”
Ramirez continued: “I also want to thank the City of Brownsville employees for their dedication and passion for our community. Their daily work is what makes Brownsville shine. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Deputy City Manager Alan Guard, Assistant City Manager and Police Chief Felix Saucedo, Assistant City Manager, Doroteo Garcia and Chief of Staff Marina Zolezzi for their commitment leadership and partnership through my tenure.
“Finally, I thank the countless community nonprofit and business partners who have continuously supported the City's vision over the years. Together, we have achieved something truly special.”
In a press release, the City of Brownsville said Ramirez has “achieved unprecedented levels of success within these past three years, marked by a robust economic development, major infrastructure advancements, transformative quality of life and fiber connectivity projects which continue to address the needs of Brownsville's growing community.”
The press release listed a number of “historic milestones and transformative initiatives.” Listed were:
* Implementation of the One City philosophy, uniting city departments, community partners and private industry partners under a shared vision of collaboration and collective progress;
* Implementation of the Gladys Porter Zoo Expansion and Master Plan through the purchase of the Brownsville Independent School District’s Cummings Career and Technical Education (CTE) center;
* Launch of the City's Parks, Health and Recreation Master Plan, Downtown Renaissance Master Plan, and the initiation of the City's first Housing Master Plan;
* Implementation of a $300 million Capital Improvement Plan, investing in major infrastructure upgrades across the city, including street improvements, drainage projects and broadband expansion through P5G connectivity;
* Groundbreaking of an approximately $80 million Public Safety Complex;
* Expansion of the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport through the recruitment of international commercial airline Aerus, and its codeshare partner Viva Aerobus, furthering Brownsville's role as an international hub for commerce and travel;
* Advancements in Space and Technology Partnerships, continuing Brownsville's emergence as a leader in aerospace innovation and space commerce through collaborations with the Texas Space Commission and private industry leader, SpaceX;
* Attraction of new retail and hospitality investments, the soon-to-open Barnes and Noble Bookstore at Sunrise Mall, a new Spouts Farmers Market, grocery store, and the RGV’s largest full-service, 7-story Embassy Suites by Hilton, featuring more than 170 guest rooms and a 12,000 square foot conference center;
Editor’s Note: Reporter Daniela Capistran assisted with this story from Brownsville.
