City Manager’s Office

Jonathan B. Flores Ed.D., a native of Pharr, Texas is a municipal government professional with over twenty-two years of diverse law enforcement experience. Since 2005, he has worked in various roles and assignments, such as patrol, criminal investigations, major crimes, and as Assistant City Manager/Chief of Police for the City of Alton.

“I am extremely grateful to our Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, and the City Commission for their continued support and trust in me to lead our great city. I am committed to carrying out their vision and standard of excellence while serving our employees and community through a servant leadership philosophy,” he added.

Dr. Flores is a graduate of the 90th session of LEMIT’s Leadership command college and has garnered recognition for his leadership at the local, state, national, and international levels including the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 under 40 leadership award, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Public Service Award, and the Texas Police Chief’s Association Leadership Award.

In 2023, Dr. Flores was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Flores is a TML Leadership Fellow and is currently in the process of earning credentialed manager candidate status through the International City Manager’s Association.

Dr. Flores is married to his high school sweetheart Rachel, and they have two wonderful children Michael & Dominique, and one Granddaughter Layla.

Dr. David D. Friedlein is a native of the Rio Grande Valley. He is a public service professional with 20 years of diverse law enforcement experience. Since 2004, he has served in various roles, including patrol, community-oriented policing, criminal investigations, public integrity, and financial services.

“It is an honor to serve the City of Pharr as their new Assistant City Manager,” said Friedlein. “I am excited to work with Dr. Flores and Pharr’s leadership team as we continue to make a positive impact in the lives of the citizens of Pharr,” he added.

Dr. Friedlein is a graduate of the 277th Session of the FBI National Academy and is a member of the FBINA Association. In 2023, he was selected to serve as a member of the FBINAA – Texas Chapter – Finance Audit Committee. He has been married to the love of his life Stephanie for 25 years, and they have four wonderful children Tyler, Shayli, Macy, and Cayden.

Hilda Pedraza has more than 22 years of experience in public administration. She began her career in the City of Pharr in October of 2000. She has served as City Clerk for the City of Pharr since 2009 and was first promoted to Assistant City Manager in 2019. As City Clerk, Pedraza serves as the city election administrator, deputy registrar for the Vital Statistics Division, and Records Management Officer for the city. In her role as Assistant City Manager, Pedraza provides direct oversight of programs and operations and works with the City Manager to accomplish the city commission’s vision and strategies. In addition, she also coordinates and develops department budgets, policies, and procedures, and determines appropriate personnel actions to include Fire and Police Civil Service rules and regulations.

“I am honored to continue to work with such a dynamic team of leaders for the betterment of the City of Pharr and to work closely with our city staff, administration, and the community to provide the highest quality services to our constituents,” Pedraza said. “I look forward to working alongside Dr. Flores and Dr. Friedlein, two visionary leaders who are committed to Pharr’s future,” she added.

Pedraza earned her Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Public Administration and currently holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Operations Management from South Texas College. She became a Certified Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2018 and is Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certified. She is a member of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley City Secretaries Association.

Cynthia Garza-Reyes brings a vast background and experience in the policy arena. She served close to a decade working for United States Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15). She worked diligently in the Washington D.C. office and later in her career as the District Director in South Texas, where she managed and oversaw a congressional district of 8 counties with a constituency of 500,000 residents.

Upon the Congressman’s retirement, Cynthia was hired with the City of Pharr where she has served in numerous capacities for the past eight and half years. During her tenure with Pharr, Cynthia served as the Director of External Relations for the City, where she oversaw all critical infrastructure project funding sources relating to the city, Economic Development Corporation, the Pharr Connect powered by TeamPharr.Net broadband, and the Pharr International Bridge. She also oversaw all federal and state legislative policy priorities for the city, working directly below the Mayor.

Beyond her professional capacity, Cynthia holds leadership positions on several entities, including the Texas Border Coalition, the Texas Department of Transportation Border Trade Advisory Committee and a member of the Texas I69 Alliance. Cynthia is a graduate of Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas where she earned her bachelor’s degree. In her personal capacity, along with her family, Cynthia oversees Double G Farms; a Santa Gertrudis purebred cattle operation established in 1960 by her grandfather Gilberto Garza. Double G Farms is one of the longest standing Santa Gertrudis operations in the Rio Grande Valley and is a staple on both the state and national level. Cynthia resides in Edinburg, Texas with her husband Gabriel and her two children Sophia and Andres Reyes.