Friday @ 5 - Friday, November 11

After nearly 20 years of service to the Rowlett community, and almost 40 years in local government, this week City Manager Brian Funderburk announced his decision to retire on July 12, 2023. Throughout those years, Brian has been instrumental in guiding our community through significant growth, events, and enhancements.

When he began his tenure with the City in 2003, Rowlett had a population of just over 45,000, annual sales taxes of under $3 million, and Main Street was a tiny, two-lane barely drivable road. Today, Rowlett's population is nearly 70,000, annual sales taxes exceed $8 million, Main Street has been beautifully transformed into a dynamic community gathering place, and our City is benefitting from new jobs and economic opportunities.

Brian also offered steady leadership as the City navigated significant challenges affecting our community, including the Great Recession; an extended drought from 2009-2015; the severe winter weather event so aptly nicknamed Icemageddon; and a world-wide pandemic. And let's not forget the December 2015 tornado and our City's resulting years-long recovery. We appreciate Brian's dedicated service to our citizens and staff, his exemplary leadership, and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement!

"I am so proud to have served the Rowlett organization and the residents of this incredible community for nearly 20 years as Chief Financial Officer, Assistant City Manager and City Manager," said Brian. "The people I have met and the friendships forged along the way serve as constant reminders of why the decision my wife, JoAnn, and I made all those years ago to move here was the right one. I am so blessed."

This advance notification provides the City Council with adequate time to recruit and hire a new City Manager, this process will begin immediately.