Garza receives Distinguished Public Service Award

Garza's professional ascent through the ranks of city government has been steady. In 1978, as a new LBJ School graduate, he took his first job in public service as an administrative assistant to the city manager of Austin. Sixteen years later, in 1994, he became city manager himself.

His responsibilities include the preparation and execution of a $1.2 billion operating budget and the oversight of more than 10,000 employees. His decisions have a direct impact on more than half a million Austin residents.

Garza spent the first ten years of his professional life (with the exception of a brief term as an administrator for U.S. Congressman J. J. Pickle) working for the City of Austin. His wide-ranging assignments introduced him to various aspects of municipal government, including public works, parks and recreation, general services, and the city manager's office.

In 1988, Garza returned to his native Corpus Christi to serve first as assistant city manager, and then as deputy city manager. He came back to Austin four years later to become the executive director of the Texas Water Commission. The following year, in May 1993, he returned to work for the City of Austin as an assistant city manager. He was appointed city manager in June 1994.

Garza's varied responsibilities have allowed him to gain mastery over the complex intricacies and inner workings of the city--everything from tire disposal to noise abatement to petroleum storage tank remediation to airport construction.

Garza also receives accolades for his personable management style. According to his supporters, he has an articulate and persuasive manner and a savvy sense of politics. As one former Corpus Christi colleague put it, "His leadership style is friendly, straightforward, honest, and fair. He combines political astuteness with common-sense management, and his approachable nature and sincere concern for other people have won him a host of friends."

Aside from his professional responsibilities, Garza finds time to contribute to the community as a volunteer. He regularly gives speeches to professional organizations about his experiences in municipal government. He has worked with the A+ Coalition to improve the quality of public education in Austin. He has also taken part in Project Mentor by teaming up with a student at a local elementary school.

Over the years, Garza has been a generous supporter of the LBJ School. He has returned to the school as a guest speaker for various classes, and he has regularly provided internships for LBJ School students and graduates.

The Distinguished Public Service Award was established in 1989 to provide recognition and appreciation for outstanding performance by LBJ School alumni.