Garland city manager announces retirement

KRLD NewsRadio 1080
By Steven Pickering, NewsRadio 1080 KRLD
December 14, 2022

Garland will get a new city manager in 2023. Current City Manager Bryan Bradford will step down in January. He has been in the city's top job since 2015 and has been a city employee since 1994.

"I have been uniquely privileged to serve the Garland community and work with so many of its great leaders," Bradford said. "I genuinely hope I have made a positive impact on this wonderful community that has become home for me and my family."

Bradford has held several positions with the city, including managing director of budget and research and assistant city manager. He had just been promoted to city manager in May 2015 when there was a terrorist attack on an event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. In December 2015, he led the city's response to a tornado on Dec. 26.

City officials said he also played an instrumental role in bringing the VA Hospital to Garland’s medical district and in diversifying the management ranks within the city's workforce.

"Throughout his career, Bryan has helped guide our city through difficult times as well as lead it to new levels of successes," Garland Mayor Scott LeMay said. "He has made his mark on Garland in ways that will benefit us all for decades to come."

Current Assistant City Manager Judson Rex will be promoted to city manager on Jan. 17. Bradford will stay on as city manager emeritus until he retires on May 1, 2023.