The city of San Angelo has appointed an incoming city manager and honored the longtime official now in the position.
Phillip Urrutia will be the next city manager for San Angelo effective Aug. 1, leaving the city of Garland to take the post, city officials said.
Longtime City Manager Daniel Valenzuela was honored Tuesday “for his distinguished career and years of dedicated service” to San Angelo, the city said on Facebook.
Mayor Tom Thompson had high praise for the man who has served as city manager since 2012 — nearly 14 years — during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“He has led with dedication, generosity, kindness and genuine humility,” the mayor said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Valenzuela also said a few words.
“I try my best, but I do stumble. I’m not perfect,” he said.
He thanked his wife, Suzanna, for her support.
The Valenzuelas plan to do some traveling, but they are staying in San Angelo after he retires, he said.
“We love this community. We’re not going anywhere else,” he said.
He announced his retirement in October.
His successor, Urrutia brings over 17 years of municipal leadership experience, city officials said. He has served the city of Garland since 2022 as assistant city manager, overseeing over $1 billion in annual operations, as well as city departments.
Before then, he worked for the city of Odessa as deputy city manager, assisting with major events such as a mass shooting incident and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Born and raised in West Texas, Urrutia is eager to return to his regional roots, city officials said.
“I am honored to serve as San Angelo’s next city manager and grateful for the opportunity the City Council has entrusted to me,” Urrutia said in a media release. “San Angelo is an exceptional community with a strong foundation and a promising future. My family and I are excited to make it our home.”
He said he looks forward to getting to know San Angelo residents and businesses and working with the City Council and staff members.
“Together, we will continue advancing opportunities, delivering excellent services, and strengthening the community for future generations,” Urrutia said.
Urrutia earned a master of public administration from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor of arts in sociology and political science from Texas Tech University. He also has additional credentials.
“We were looking for someone with proven executive leadership, financial expertise, economic development experience, and a collaborative management style,” Thompson said in the media release. “We believe Phillip possesses those qualities and is well prepared to help lead our city as we continue building on the progress we’ve made.”
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo names new city manager to replace veteran official
Reporting by Staff reports, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
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By Staff reports, San Angelo Standard-Times | USA TODAY Network
