The City of Victoria has hired two new leaders with extensive experience in their fields who are ready and eager to serve the Victoria community.
Annette V. Ponce was sworn in as the Victoria Fire Department fire marshal on Nov. 18. She brings to the role nearly 30 years of diverse experience in fire prevention, investigations and outreach, along with a passion for community engagement.
“I am deeply committed to fostering growth in Victoria and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community,” Ponce said. “A thriving environment is built on collaboration and a dedicated focus on public safety, and I look forward to serving the City, the department and our residents.”
Ponce started her career with the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department in 1994 as a fire prevention officer and rose through the ranks as a senior fire prevention officer and as a lieutenant. She joined the Arson/Fire Investigation division in 2017 and was promoted to the rank of captain, leading a team of six fire investigators. In 2022, she retired from the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department and became the public information manager for the Orlando Fire Department.
Ponce has experienced firsthand the importance of building strong relationships with the community and within the department, values that she sees reflected in the Victoria Fire Department.
“Victoria has a close-knit fire department, and the command staff have a very strong presence in the community,” Ponce said. “I was impressed by the department’s commitment to public education and involvement.”
Also Nov. 18, Nina Campos began her new role as the City’s director of Human Resources.
A Victoria native who values servant leadership, Campos is eager to apply her 17 years of extensive HR knowledge to enhance livability in the community where she was born and raised.
“Many organizations face unique challenges in adapting to changing needs and evolving communities, and the City of Victoria is no exception,” Campos said. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead a talented team in implementing forward-thinking HR strategies that not only meet these challenges but also foster an environment where employees can innovate, collaborate, and develop professionally.”
Campos began her career in 2006 with CHRISTUS Spohn Health System as an organizational effectiveness coordinator and was later promoted to the roles of regional recruiting supervisor and senior HR generalist. She has also served as human resources manager for Victoria Electric Cooperative and as director of engagement for SeeKing HR, a human resources consulting firm. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of HR functions, including strategic planning, policy development and workforce engagement.
Campos’ thorough experience in the nonprofit sector has equipped her to work creatively with available resources and to build organizational success through a servant leadership approach.
“In the nonprofit world, resources are often limited, so I’ve had to become adept at maximizing the potential of teams, building strong relationships, and fostering a culture of collaboration and service,” Campos said.
Stay connected
To learn more about Victoria Fire Department programs and services, visit www.victoriatx.gov/fire.
To learn more about Human Resources and career opportunities with the City of Victoria, visit www.victoriatx.gov/apply.