Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
On July 10, 2024, Dr. Jonathan Flores celebrated his one-year anniversary as City Manager of Pharr. It was a moment for reflection on the past year’s achievements and a look ahead to the bright future of a city that has grown beyond its small-town roots.
Reflecting on his first year, Dr. Flores shared, “Today’s a day of reflection. It’s been one year since I started with the city of Pharr, and I’m happy to look back at everything we’ve accomplished with the phenomenal team here. You come in with a vision, and a big part of that is understanding the Mayor and Commission’s vision. My job is to take that vision and get the staff to work towards it. We’ve succeeded in doing that because we have amazing staff committed to providing excellence every day for our community.”
Dr. Flores described his initial excitement and nervousness upon taking the role. “Coming into an organization this size and wanting to do good for the community, especially since it’s my hometown, added pressure. I wanted to achieve exceptional things for Pharr. Today, looking back, I see that we are accomplishing the goals we set. We’re doing great things, from infrastructure projects to bridge projects and emergency services. The investments made by the Mayor and Commission have yielded significant returns for our residents.”
Leading Pharr has been both a blessing and a responsibility for Dr. Flores. He considers himself a transformational servant leader, focusing on serving the people and pushing them beyond their comfort zones. Significant investments have been made in staff leadership development. Many directors have completed certified public manager courses at UTRGV and attended the TML Leadership Academy. Leadership development programs were also created for aspiring leaders within the staff. This approach has strengthened the organization, making it more responsible, efficient, and effective in delivering services to the community.
Looking ahead, Dr. Flores is optimistic about Pharr’s future. The city is experiencing significant residential growth, with people moving in from both the north and south and substantial business investments. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) staff and the chamber are excellently attracting new businesses and retaining them. The new chamber director, CJ Sanchez, actively engages with businesses, showcasing their efforts through various events.
“The EDC also collaborates with our bridge on the Border Business Advancement Team to target key markets, resulting in significant investments from companies setting up cold storages and warehouses in South Pharr. This collaboration creates more economic impact, jobs, and business growth in the city. We want Pharr to be a place where people can enjoy living and raising a family,” Dr. Flores emphasized.
Pharr has also seen decreased crime, making it a safe place to live, raise a family, and do business. The special events team provides free events, allowing the community to come together and engage with city officials. These interactions provide valuable feedback, helping deliver better services.
Dr. Flores credits Pharr’s success to the extraordinary vision of the Mayor and Commission. “Their decisions have driven the city’s tremendous progress. As a resident, I’ve benefited from these decisions. The Pharr Forward Slate has done an excellent job taking care of the community. Investments in essential services, like ambulance services and high-speed internet, show their commitment. Our job as staff is to execute their vision, impacting everyone living or visiting Pharr positively.”
Pharr boasts big-city amenities while maintaining its small-town charm, making it an attractive place. This charm is evident in the events and community engagement, creating an inviting atmosphere. Dr. Flores concluded, “I see the future of Pharr as bright. It’s where you can raise a family, put your business, and enjoy everything the city offers.”
Dr. Flores emphasized the importance of the city’s current focus: “Right now, the focus of the city is on the significant investments we’ve made in major projects to improve the quality of life for our residents. With these investments come growing pains, and we need to navigate through those. We aim to continue producing balanced budgets, replenishing reserve funds, and seeing the returns on these investments. The bridge projects are finishing, and teampharr.net is very successful, with almost 9,000 connections and growing. When I started, there were 2,000 connections, and now there are over 9,000. The goal is to reach 20,000.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Flores spoke about the projected developments. “With the new four lanes at the bridge opening soon and the cooperation with Mexico to expedite truck movement through our international bridge, we expect increased crossings and greater efficiency. This forward-thinking approach by the mayor and commission is already showing a positive trajectory.”
Reflecting on his first year, Dr. Flores acknowledged the challenges he faced. “The biggest challenge was getting up to speed with a fast-paced organization like this. I had to grasp all existing projects quickly, prioritize capital improvement projects, and dive into budget season immediately. Despite the challenges, we produced a balanced budget with a million-dollar surplus. Getting to know everyone in this large organization took time. Still, it was crucial to understand the organizational culture and align it with where the mayor and commission wanted it to be.”
Dr. Flores highlighted his leadership approach and the cultural shift within the organization. “If you ask the staff, they’ll tell you it’s a very relaxed, family-oriented environment. We’ve shifted to a progressive, team-oriented culture. The ‘We are Team Pharr’ slogan isn’t just a phrase; it’s a commitment. A different department director hosts a team-building event every month, fostering friendship and communication. This has been key to our success.”
He continued, “Communicating my leadership style to the staff was another challenge. I do not micromanage; I provide autonomy and the tools needed for success. This was a shift from a more hands-on approach to one that empowers directors to make decisions for their departments. I support them and provide the necessary resources.”
Dr. Flores also shared insights into his academic background, emphasizing his commitment to leadership and development. “I have a bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix, a master’s in public affairs from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Tribeca Nazarene University. I also teach law enforcement and criminal justice courses, have eight publications, and am currently writing a book on leadership.”
Gratitude was a recurring theme in Dr. Flores’s reflections. “I am so grateful to the mayor and the commission for the opportunity to lead this great organization in my hometown. I have a great relationship with our mayor and the commission. They communicate their vision to me, and I am blessed to be trusted to execute it, ensuring we get things done for our community.”
As Dr. Flores embarks on his second year as City Manager, his dedication to Pharr’s growth and development remains steadfast. The city’s journey from a small town to a thriving community continues under his forward-thinking leadership, promising a bright future for all its residents and businesses.
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