GARLAND, TX — Crystal Owens will join the City of Garland as Managing Director to oversee public works departments on January 10, 2022.

“We are extremely pleased to bring someone of Crystal's experience, qualifications, and character to our Garland team,” said City Manager Bryan Bradford. “She will be joining a long list of other 'superstars' that we have been able to attract to the organization over the past several years.”

After graduating from Marshall High School, Owens served her country in the United States Air Force. Her service took her to San Antonio, Texas; Biloxi, Mississippi; Teagu, Korea; and Southern California.

Owens began her civil engineering career working for private engineering firms in Connecticut and Texas. However, she soon realized her preference for working directly for and with the public in municipal government. She worked for the engineering departments in Arlington and Duncanville before joining the DeSoto team. With the City of DeSoto, she served as the City Engineer and ultimately the Managing Director of Development Services, an operational department that consists of engineering and construction, building inspections, street and fleet, facility maintenance, and planning and zoning.

Owens holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration. She is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and is a member of the American Public Works Association.