Occupation
Lead Product Manager
Education
Industrial Engineer
Campaign Phone
6824819247
Campaign YouTube URL
Note:
Real Experience That Matters. Leading with Respect. Bringing People Together.
I am a longtime Farmers Branch resident, father, and civic volunteer with local government and professional leadership experience. I previously served on the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Board and currently serve on the Dallas County Trails and Preserve Board. In my career, I have led teams and delivered results at Fortune 100 companies, managing complex initiatives, budgets, and operations. I listen to residents, make data driven decisions, and lead with accountability. I am committed to transparent, responsible leadership and delivering city services that work for everyone.
I will manage budget challenges by prioritizing core services, aligning spending with measurable outcomes, and reviewing programs regularly to eliminate inefficiencies. I will use data to guide decisions, increase transparency in how funds are allocated, and hold departments accountable for results. I will maintain strong reserves, plan for future needs, and support responsible economic growth to strengthen our tax base. I will also ensure major projects stay on time and on budget while protecting taxpayers.
Farmers Branch should work collaboratively with local, state, and federal partners, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, when it improves public safety and emergency preparedness. I will support coordination on disaster response, threat awareness, and access to federal resources to keep our community safe and resilient. I will ensure these partnerships follow the law, protect civil rights, and maintain the trust that keeps our community strong and welcoming. I will not allow any partnership to erode the civil rights of our residents.
Every resident should feel welcome and safe in Farmers Branch, no matter their background. I will support strong anti discrimination policies, require regular training for staff and boards, and ensure clear, accessible processes to report and resolve concerns. I will promote fairness in hiring, contracting, and city programs so they reflect our community. I will lead with respect, transparency, and accountability at City Hall.
Reliable public transportation is essential for workers, seniors, and persons with disabilities. I support maintaining and improving transit access while holding regional partners such as DART accountable for safety, service quality, and cost. I will support smart land use, sidewalks, trails, and transportation planning that safely connects residents to neighborhoods, jobs, schools, and parks, whether or not they have a car.
Farmers Branch faces the challenge of restoring trust after years of division, public conflict, and inconsistent communication that have left residents feeling disconnected and businesses hesitant to invest. We must bring leadership, staff, and residents together so people feel heard, respected, and engaged. Our opportunity is to create a more open and responsive city, improve efficiency in permitting and city processes, and make it easier to do business. By leading with accountability, collaboration, and results, we can build confidence, attract investment, and strengthen our community.
Occupation
Business Owner: Time-Out Media
Education
Bachelors of Business Administration, University of Oklahoma 1980
Campaign Phone
214-244-1615
I have served as Mayor of Farmers Branch for the past 3 years and prior to that I was a City Council Representative for 6 years. Before I ran for council, I served on 3 city boards to volunteer, learn the issues of the city and learn how local government works.
I invested time to take our Citizens Police and Fire Academies to be more familiar with our public safety departments.
As a business owner, I know how to budget and adhere to strategic plans.
I have over 40 years in sales and marketing in the corporate world. Today, I am business owner. Business is what I know.
Making sure that we have a sound strategic plan and following the plan is key in order to maximize the tax dollars we take in. That requires ongoing budget oversight and reporting from staff.
Council members need to work to preserve city services and not promote their "pet projects" over the needs of the residents.
During my time on Council and as Mayor, I have had weekly meetings with our City Manager to be as up to speed as possible regarding the status of budgeted items and preparing for unforeseen expenses that could affect our financial planning.
Our city follows the law. If we receive a request for assistance from a federal agency, we will provide assistance.
Our city will not do the job of federal agencies but we will be available to help when called on.
We have helped with disaster relief in other parts of the state when called upon.
Our city has adopted several non-discrimination policies for both staff/employees and for elected officials.
Discrimination by staff or elected officials is not tolerated and has not been an issue in our city.
As a DART member city, we need to make sure our residents know and understand the value and benefits of public transportation. They also need to know easy it is to access the system.
One of my goals in my second term will be to partner with DART to host some fun events in Farmers Branch that will help residents to explore the benefits DART has to offer.
The key to making public transportation work centers around marketing and education of the public.
Maintaining our aging infrastructure of water and sewer lines. That is a very expensive and desperately needed budget item. We have a 20 year plan to address this need.
Second, would be extending the life of the city-owned landfill. The landfill has a finite life and the cost to close it in 20 years is estimated to be over $40 million. That requires planning and sustainability efforts today.
Third, is making sure we have attainable workforce housing. Housing prices are soaring. Home ownership is not easy. We need to develop attainable housing options for middle-income families.
Occupation
Outside Sales and Account Mgmnt
Education
Some College + 34 years of industry experience
Campaign Phone
469-432-0551
Note:
Instagram: @rivasforfb
I have spent years serving our community through PTA leadership, the school bond committee, the bond oversight committee, the charter review committee, and the city events committee. These roles gave me experience reviewing budgets, planning long term investments, and working with residents to solve problems. Professionally I work in the construction industry where collaboration, accountability, and clear communication are essential. I bring a steady and practical approach to leadership.
Strong budgeting starts with clear priorities. Core services such as public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and responsible planning should come first. We should regularly review programs to ensure they deliver value and look for efficiencies through improved technology and better processes. At the same time, we should strengthen the commercial tax base so that long term financial stability does not rely too heavily on homeowners.
Cities must work collaboratively with state and federal partners. Coordination with agencies such as the U. S. Department of Homeland Security can support emergency preparedness, disaster response, and infrastructure protection. These relationships should focus on safety, communication, and practical cooperation while ensuring that local priorities and community needs remain central, and that ALL residents feel safe in Farmers Branch.
Every resident deserves to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. The city should maintain clear policies that prohibit discrimination and ensure equal access to city services. Training for staff, transparent complaint procedures, and consistent enforcement of policies are important. Building a culture of respect and accountability helps ensure that all residents feel welcome and valued in our community.
Public transportation should support mobility, economic opportunity, and regional connectivity. As part of the regional system, Farmers Branch should work with partner cities to ensure reliable service and accountability. The focus should be on making existing transit options work effectively while improving access where it benefits residents and businesses. Strong communication with the public about how the system operates is also important.
One challenge is maintaining infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, and water systems while managing long term financial stability. Another is ensuring residents feel informed and engaged in city decisions. At the same time, Farmers Branch has an opportunity to benefit from regional growth by strengthening its commercial tax base and investing in the amenities and infrastructure that make our city a great place to live.
