EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso City Council has picked Deputy City Manager Dionne Mack to be the next city manager.
The council voted 6-2 to pick Mack as the next city manager after being in executive session for eight hours on Monday, Aug. 19 interviewing the top four candidates.
City Reps. Joe Molinar and Art Fierro cast the no votes.
Mack is just the third city manager in El Paso’s history. Terms of her employment in her new role with the City are scheduled to be finalized during executive session during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled council meeting.
Mack currently serves as the City of El Paso’s deputy city manager for quality of life.
“Dionne Mack has shown exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all El Paso residents. Her experience and vision for our City makes her the right choice to guide El Paso into a bright and prosperous future. I am confident that under her leadership, we will continue to make significant strides in addressing the needs of our community and building a stronger, more vibrant city,” Mayor Oscar Lesser said.
Mack has 28 years of public service experience, with 14 years in New York and 14 years in El Paso.
Here is her biography as listed on the City of El Paso website:
“Dionne Mack was appointed El Paso’s first African American Deputy City Manager on July 17, 2017. Ms. Mack has spent more than twenty years in public sector service. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she currently oversees the Community & Human Development, Public Libraries, El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Military Affairs, Museum and Cultural Affairs and Parks and Recreations. Ms. Mack’s role with the City also included serving as Deputy City Manager for Animal Services, Fire Department, Municipal Courts, Police Department, and Public Health Department.
“Ms. Mack began her professional career at Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) in 1996 as a librarian at BPL’s Crown Heights branch. In 2007, she became the first African-American to become the head of a major public library system in New York State. As executive director of the Brooklyn Public Library, Ms. Mack oversaw BPL’s 60 libraries serving the 2.5 million people of Brooklyn. Prior to her appointment, she led the library system as interim executive director and chief of staff.”
The other three finalists were also current City of El Paso employees — Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager for Internal Services Robert Cortinas; Deputy City Manager for Public Safety Mario D’Agostino; Community and Human Development Director Nicole Ferrini.
Former City Manager Tommy Gonzalez’s contract was terminated by a 5-4 vote of City Council in February 2023. Mayor Oscar Leeser cast the tiebreaking vote to terminate his contract.
Cary Westin was appointed as interim city manager in May 2023 but he has repeatedly said he did not want the job on a permanent basis.
The search for a new city manager has not been without controversy. City Rep. Josh Acevedo has criticized the process for not being transparent enough.
Monday, Acevedo made a motion to delete the city manager decision from Monday’s council agenda and postpone the decision until February 2025 after a new council is sworn in.
The motion ended in a 4-4 tie with Lesser breaking the tie by voting no.
The City said the Mack’s appointment came after a “rigorous national search that began in 2024. Here is what the City said about the selection process in its news release:
“The process attracted over 100 applicants and included community input sessions, bilingual surveys, and feedback from various stakeholders to ensure that the selection reflected the values and aspirations of El Paso’s residents.
“The decision was made following a series of four community Meet and Greet events, where residents had the opportunity to interact directly with each of the finalists for the position. In addition, two Council-appointed community panels, provided critical input that helped shape the final decision.
“Ms. Mack’s deep connection to the community and her proven track record in enhancing the quality of life in El Paso were key factors in her selection as the new City Manager. Her leadership is expected to bring continued progress and innovation to the City as it moves forward.”
Mack said she was “deeply honoeed” to be named the next city manager.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for their trust and confidence in me,” she said. “My lived experiences, education, and professional background have uniquely prepared me to serve as your next City Manager. As a resident of El Paso, I am deeply committed to serving our city humbly and dedicated to improving the lives of all our residents. This commitment is not just a promise, but a mission that I will tirelessly pursue.”
Ms. Mack added, “I am deeply committed to building solid connections with the City Council and with all of you, the heart and soul of this vibrant community. El Paso’s strength lies in its diversity, rich history, and the resilience of its people. I am here to listen, learn, and work with each of you to address our challenges. I firmly believe that the best solutions come from within the community, and your voices are not just important, but invaluable. I am committed to holding regular meetings, open forums, and seeking your input through surveys and various feedback mechanisms. Your concerns, ideas, and aspirations are crucial to our decision-making process. Together with our City Council, we will chart a path forward that truly reflects the desires and needs of our residents.”
Read: Read More