government
Harlingen WaterWorks selects BPUB director for general manager’s job
By Fernando Del Valle at MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News
· July 7, 2026
· 4 min read
Marie C. Leal (Courtesy: Texas Society of Professional Engineers)
HARLINGEN — After a three-month search, the WaterWorks System’s board of directors has selected Marie Leal, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board’s directing engineer, to serve as general manager.
Leal, who on Monday accepted the ...
Key takeaway Leal, who on Monday accepted the board’s offer which would come with a $250,000 salary, would take over for Roy Rodriguez, the former longtime McAllen city manager who has served as interim director for more than a year.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The selection of Marie Leal as general manager of Harlingen WaterWorks System brings a seasoned professional with a strong background in utility management to the role. Her experience as directing engineer at the Brownsville Public Utilities Board and her work as a partner and CEO of a consulting engineering firm in Harlingen suggest she is well-equipped to handle the complex challenges of providing utility services to the community. As the city commissioners prepare to consider her appointment, they will likely be looking closely at her plans for building on the foundation of excellence established by the WaterWorks System, particularly in terms of responsible stewardship of public resources and infrastructure development. With the Rio Grande Valley's rapid growth, the ability to provide exceptional utility service while supporting long-term growth and prosperity will be crucial, making Leal's leadership a key factor in the region's continued development.
About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? Marie C. Leal (Courtesy: Texas Society of Professional Engineers)
HARLINGEN — After a three-month search, the WaterWorks System’s board of directors has selected Marie Leal, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board’s directing engineer, to serve as general manager.
Leal, who on Monday accepted the ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Fernando Del Valle at MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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