The City of Victoria’s new assistant city managers are two longtime City employees with decades of combined experience with the City and deep ties to the Victoria community.
The City recently promoted multiple longtime employees to higher leadership roles. These promotions were finalized the week of June 30 and went into effect July 14.
Darryl Lesak, former director of Environmental Services and the Community Appearance Division, will oversee Environmental Services, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Communications & Public Affairs and Emergency Management.
Lesak has been with the City since June 2008 and served as assistant director of Environmental Services for four years before being promoted to director. Previously, he held the role of district manager for Waste Management. He is a member of the Texas Solid Waste Association of North America and State of Texas Alliance for Recycling. He also serves as the vice chair of the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Gilbert P. Reyna, Jr., former chief financial officer for the City, will oversee Engineering, IT, Finance, Building & Equipment Services and the Municipal Court.
Reyna joined the City as assistant director of Finance in 1995 and was promoted to director the same year before being promoted to chief financial officer in 2020. He began his career with the accounting firm Harrison, Waldrop & Uherek, where he served as audit manager in charge of several large government entities. He serves as treasurer of numerous local government boards and commissions and has served on the boards of the South Texas Aggregation Project and the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power.
“Our City is fortunate to have experienced and proven leaders who are ready and willing to take on new challenges,” said City Manager Jesús A. Garza. “Darryl and Gilbert will bring with them a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success that speaks for itself. I look forward to working more closely with both of them as we continue to modernize and improve our daily operations in order to enhance livability for our residents.”
More employees promoted to senior roles
Gregory Rodriguez, former operations & maintenance manager, has been promoted to assistant director of Public Works. Rodriguez began his career in the water and wastewater industry in 2008 and has held the roles of water plant operator, chief operator, plant manager and project manager. He is recognized as a certified water professional (CWP) by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), and he also serves on the TCEQ’s South Texas Watermaster Advisory Committee.
Christy Youker, former assistant director of Environmental Services, has been promoted to director. Her previous roles include West Texas sales supervisor for Texas Disposal Systems and director of education for the Upper Colorado River Authority. She earned her doctorate in science education from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and she serves on the boards of Victoria Northside Rotary and Keep Texas Beautiful.