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City Managers
Tommy Gonzalez was appointed City Manager of Midland, Texas, in July 2023, where he leads the 26th largest city in Texas. He brings over 30 years of public sector management experience, having served as City Manager in El Paso, Irving, Harlingen, & Lubbock. He has also served in various positions in Lubbock and Assistant City Manager in the City of Dallas.
During his tenure in El Paso, Gonzalez received the prestigious 2022 National Malcolm Baldrige Foundation E. David Spong Lifetime Leadership Award and led his team to earn the Texas Award for Performance Excellence in 2019 and 2020, as well as the All-America City Award in 2018, 2020, and 2021. Under his leadership, El Paso achieved significant financial improvements, leading to an improvement in the city's double AA financial rating to AA+.
Gonzalez's previous stint as City Manager of Irving, Texas, from 2006 to 2013, led to the city winning the Texas Award for Performance Excellence and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving 22 years in the U.S. Army. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor of Science from Eastern New Mexico University. He has also received several prestigious awards, including the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Border City Leadership Award and the Eastern New Mexico and Texas Tech University's Distinguished Alumni Award.
Gonzalez serves on several boards, including the Texas Municipal Retirement System Board of Trustees, with a term expiring on February 1, 2029. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of Texas in Austin. He is married to his wife Sandy, and has two sons and two dogs.
Morris Williams Jr. is a dedicated public servant and a native of Midland, Texas, with over two decades of experience in municipal government. Since joining the City of Midland in 1999, Morris has steadily advanced through various leadership roles and now serves as the Deputy City Manager. In this capacity, he oversees multiple city departments, providing strategic direction and fostering collaboration to ensure the efficient delivery of services to the Midland community. His wealth of experience includes managing key city initiatives, budget oversight, and spearheading efforts to enhance public infrastructure and services.
Prior to his current role, Morris served as the Assistant City Manager, where he demonstrated a strong commitment to operational excellence and innovative solutions for the city’s growth. His deep understanding of city operations, coupled with his hands-on leadership style, has earned him the respect of colleagues and community members alike.
Morris holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Lubbock Christian University (2004) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (2011). His academic achievements, along with his practical experience, have equipped him with a unique blend of strategic insight and operational expertise.
In addition to his role with the City of Midland, Morris is passionate about education and leadership development. He serves as an instructor in Texas Tech University's Certified Public Manager Program, where he shares his knowledge of public administration, leadership, and organizational management with aspiring public sector professionals. His teaching reflects his dedication to fostering the next generation of public leaders.
Morris is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and is actively involved in mentoring youth within his community. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through jogging and continues to inspire others by living a life of service and leadership.
Jose Ortiz currently serves as the Deputy City Manager. Prior to his appointment, Ortiz recently has served as the Assistant City Manager and Director of Engineering Services for the City of Midland.
During his tenure as the engineering services director, he managed the 2017 Road & Utility Bond Program and advocated for the increase in annual funding for roadway maintenance from three million dollars to an annual allocation of eleven million dollars. Jose’s partnerships with community entities have led to collaborative partnerships with the MDC, Midland County, and TxDOT to enhance Midland’s transportation network.
Before serving with the City of Midland, Jose served as the Transportation Administrator for the City of Tucson and as a project engineer with Stantec Consulting. Jose graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and holds a Certified Public Manager certificate from Texas Tech University.
He is a registered professional engineer in both Arizona and Texas. Jose is married to his college sweetheart Olivia, and they have four daughters, Sophia, Brianna, Sabrina, and Mia.
Taylor Novak serves as Chief of Staff for the City of Midland and the City Manager, leading strategic projects and initiatives that align with the City Council’s vision.
With expertise in public administration, human resources, recruitment, and over a decade of professional experience, Taylor focuses on driving impactful solutions, improving organizational processes, and fostering collaboration across departments.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University and an MBA in public administration from the University of the Southwest. Passionate about creating meaningful change, Taylor is dedicated to enhancing Midland’s growth, quality of life, and efficiency.