The City of McAllen is proud to announce that Assistant City Manager Jeff Johnston has been named the 2024 Mentor of the Year by the Texas City Management Association (TCMA). This distinguished honor, awarded in memory of Gary Gwyn, recognizes Johnston’s exceptional commitment to mentoring, leadership, and ethical governance in public service.
TCMA Region 10 proudly nominated Johnston for this accolade, citing his dedication to guiding, developing, and mentoring the next generation of municipal leaders. With a career marked by extensive experience in municipal leadership, emergency management, and community service, Johnston has played a crucial role in shaping future public servants and strengthening city operations.
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos praised Johnston’s leadership, stating, “Jeff Johnston exemplifies what it means to be a mentor. His dedication to fostering ethical leadership and professional growth within the City of McAllen and beyond is truly commendable. His mentorship has positively impacted countless public servants, ensuring that our city continues to benefit from strong, capable leadership.”
City Manager Ike Tawil echoed these sentiments, highlighting Johnston’s impact on McAllen’s municipal operations. “Jeff’s leadership goes beyond day-to-day management; he actively invests in the success of our employees and the broader public service community. His ability to mentor and inspire others has had a lasting impact on our workforce, making McAllen a model for professional development in local government.”
Johnston expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, “I am certainly honored to receive this award from TCMA. I have been blessed with some great mentors along the way in my career and am grateful for the opportunity to step alongside a new generation of public servants as they navigate their calling – to serve others.”
Johnston currently serves as the Assistant City Manager and Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of McAllen, overseeing nine municipal departments with combined operating and capital budgets of over $215 million and leading more than 715 employees. His leadership extends beyond operational management; he is deeply committed to fostering a workplace culture where employees can grow and reach their full potential.
Throughout his career, Johnston has spearheaded several employee development initiatives, including the Employee Mentoring Program and the Employee Leadership Development Program. As a founding member of both programs, he has played a vital role in guiding city employees toward professional excellence.
In the past 18 months, he has worked with staff to refine these programs, further emphasizing individualized employee growth. Additionally, he collaborated with the Human Resources Department to revamp the city’s New Employee Orientation Program, ensuring new hires are seamlessly integrated into the organization and connected with mentorship opportunities.
Beyond his work in McAllen, Johnston has been a guiding force in the Texas City Management Association, serving two terms on the State Board, another term as a Regional President and over seven years on the TCMA Ethics Committee. His contributions to ethical governance and professional development have had a profound impact across Texas municipalities. He has also presented ethics and leadership training at local, regional, and state conferences, mentoring hundreds of municipal employees statewide.
Johnston’s expertise in emergency management has also set him apart as a leader and mentor. His work in McAllen and Brownsville has included overseeing dozens of disaster response and recovery efforts, guiding emergency managers across Texas through crises, and helping communities improve their preparedness and response processes. His ability to lead under pressure and mentor others in high-stakes situations has earned him widespread respect in the field. In fact, just last month, Johnston was awarded the 2025 Texas Emergency Management Leadership Award at the Texas Emergency Management Conference in Fort Worth in recognition of his efforts.
Beyond his professional contributions, Johnston is an active community leader. He serves as a Deacon and Bible Study leader for young adults in his church and as the elected President of a Home School association in Hidalgo County, where he and his wife serve and mentor over 130 families. His commitment to mentorship extends beyond the workplace, reinforcing his dedication to service and leadership in all aspects of life.
The City of McAllen congratulates Jeff Johnston on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his continued contributions to mentorship, ethical leadership, and professional development.
