Harvey
The city of Pharr has appointed its police chief to be city manager.
A news release Friday announced Andy Harvey, who will remain police chief, will also serve as city manager.
The news follows a Thursday afternoon announcement that former City Manager Ed Wylie was stepping down from that position and instead will serve as a deputy city manager.
The city charter requires the city manager to live within Pharr’s city limits and Wylie did not meet the requirement.
In the release announcing Harvey is taking on the role, the city touted his leadership experience and background in public service management, characteristics the city says makes Harvey particularly poised for the transition.
Harvey said in the release that 26 years of local government service has prepared him for the important leadership role.
“I am humbled by the opportunity and trust afforded to me by Mayor Hernandez and our Commission to lead the men and women that care for and serve our city every day,” he said. “Our future is bright and can’t wait to get going.”
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez called Harvey a progressive leader with innovative ideas who has a proven track record of success, which are qualities that align with the city’s vision for moving Pharr forward.
“We are proud that he is taking on this new role as City Manager to continue steering Pharr in the right direction — towards the future,” Hernandez said in the release.
Harvey took the reins of the police department in July 2020 and the city says his leadership and innovation propelled the department into a “future-focused, 21st century police department.”
The news release touts the implementation of mental health and horse mounted units, which are the first in the Rio Grande Valley.
The city also cited the expansion of community outreach, the implementation of a motorcycle unit and efforts to increase transparency by working with local media, enhancing social media outreach and the department’s “first-of-its-kind” podcast, “Police on Air.”
All of this happened under Harvey’s leadership in less than two years.
