By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members present at Tuesday’s meeting voted unanimously to appoint John A. Sheedy IV as the new city manager.
Sheedy had served as interim city manager since July 31 following the resignation of Matt Wojnowski.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus presided over Tuesday’s meeting in the absence of Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano.
Following an hour-long executive session, DeReus reconvened the meeting in open session and announced the council had taken no action behind closed doors.
DeReus then read Resolution R:2021-166, “a resolution by the Del Rio City Council authorizing and directing the mayor to execute an employment agreement and appointing a city manager for the city of Del Rio, Texas, pursuant to authority under the city charter, sections 17, 18 and 42, between the city of Del Rio and John A. Sheedy.”
“I make a motion to approve this resolution as written,” DeReus said.
Councilman Steven Webb gave the second.
When DeReus asked the other council members for comments, Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said she has been working with the city manager almost daily since she was elected, noting she often called or came to see former city manager Matt Wojnowski.
“The same thing with Mr. John Sheedy. I’ve been here almost every other day, and we’ve been working really well. I know I’ve been keeping you busy, and I want to add that I am going to continue,” Calderon said.
Councilman Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. congratulated Sheedy, adding he and Sheedy have developed a good working relationship, “and I’m sure we’ll continue doing what’s best for the city of Del Rio.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Sheedy, and let’s rock and roll,” Councilman J.P. Sanchez said.
Councilman Steven Webb said he has known Sheedy for years, “but have never had the opportunity to work with him and give him things that I would like to see accomplished.”
“He has so far not let me down and I don’t believe he’s going to let any of us down. This council has been very transparent in what we want and how we want them . . . I believe he will do a good job,” Webb added.
Councilman Raul Ojeda thanked Sheedy for his hard work and dedication.
“I wish you the best and think you’ll do a good job,” Ojeda added.
DeReus, too, congratulated Sheedy.
“We asked you to be interim city manager, and over the past few months, you’ve demonstrated good things to us, so we want to keep this permanent to continue with some of those things that you’ve been stepping out on, and we really do appreciate it,” DeReus said.
DeReus then formally asked Sheedy if he would accept the position, and Sheedy said he would.
The council then voted 6-0 to approve the resolution appointing Sheedy.
Sheedy moved to the interim city manager post after serving as the city’s emergency management coordinator, most recently shepherding the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sheedy began his career with the city as a member of the Del Rio Fire Department in November 1981, rising through its ranks to the position of deputy fire chief, a position he held from January 1999 through July 2013. During that time, he also served as the city’s emergency manager coordinator.
Sheedy left the city in June 2013 to serve as the emergency operations director/director of transportation/project manager for the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District, a position he held until July 2017.
From July 2017 until June 2019, Sheedy was director of homeland security/director of 9-1-1 for the region’s Middle Rio Grande Development Council.
He returned to employment with the city of Del Rio in July 2019 as emergency management coordinator.
Sheedy, a native of Brackettville, Texas, and a 1979 graduate of Brackett High School, also formerly served as an elected member of the Del Rio City Council.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Sul Ross/Rio Grande College in Del Rio and holds associates’ degrees in applied science/fire services administrator and associate of applied science fire protection and safety technology degrees from Weatherford University in Weatherford, Texas, and an associate of arts from Southwest Texas Junior College in Del Rio.
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