Joyce Wilson

Joyce Wilson was appointed the very first City Manager for the City of El Paso in August 2004, following a nationwide recruitment search.   As City Manager, Ms. Wilson oversees a full-service municipality that owns and operates an international passenger and commercial airport, foreign trade zone, five international bridges,  a mass transit system, a host of cultural and convention facilities/venues and all other traditional urban services.   The annual operating budget is in excess of $700 million with a 6200+-employee workforce.   Ms. Wilson maintains well over 20 years of city management experience, working in cities such as Richmond, Virginia; Yuma, Arizona and Arlington County, Virginia.  Over the course of her career, Ms. Wilson has played an integral role in effectively managing such issues as: Working to professionalize, streamline and economize government services Stimulating and redevelopment of Downtown areas Fostering partnerships among the private and public sectors Encouraging development of public art programs Initiating professional development programs for organizational staff Development and enhancement of health and community services related to at-risk youth, elderly care and community health risksShe is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics, and holds a Master of Public Administration (Fiscal and Urban Policy) degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  She also is an alumni of the Kellogg Foundation’s National Fellowship Program.  In 2006, Joyce was selected to the National Academy of Public Administration.Joyce has received numerous awards including:  the 2006 Administrator of the Year from Texas City Management Association, Excellence in Leadership Award from the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona State “Main Street Person of the Year”, and the Superior Service Award from the Arizona Chapter of American Society of Public Administrators in 1999.  She was recognized by the International City/County Management Association in 1999 for her efforts in Citizen Participation and International Relations efforts and in 1994 for excellence in leadership as an assistant level.At the community level, Joyce has been actively involved in various non-profit organizations including United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs, Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.  Her focus is on organizations supporting at risk families and children and immigrant populations.