Housing authority names executive director

A Certified Public Accountant who grew up in Brownsville’s Citrus Gardens housing projects has been named the next executive director of the Brownsville Housing Authority.

Antonio Juarez, 56, the former chief financial officer of the Brownsville Independent School District, replaces Esiquio "Zeke" Luna Jr., who left the post last year.

Although Juarez has devoted his career to public school finance, last summer earning a doctorate in education from the University of Texas at Austin, he said the housing authority post represents a "coming home" of sorts.

"I grew up in Citrus Gardens so I guess I have first-hand experience," Juarez said. "I do have a good understanding of the needs."

The vote was 3-2, with board members Art Rendon, Pat Lehman and Rosie Gonzales in favor of selecting Juarez and board president Edward Moore and member Abraham Galonsky against.

"We hope that once he gets settled in and reviews everything he makes the right decisions," said Gonzales, the residents’ representative on the board. "We’re expecting great things from him."

Moore said the board will now begin contract negotiations with Juarez. Officials have said previously that the position pays in the neighborhood of $100,000 annually.

"The mission is to provide a secure and safe living environment for BHA residents," Juarez said. "It’s like coming home and hopefully I can be a role model for students who are residents and show that education is a road to success."

Juarez attended J.T. Canales Elementary School, Faulk Middle School and Hanna High School. After high school he joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1972-1978. He then enrolled at the University of Texas-Pan American, graduating cum laude with a degree in accounting.

He went on to earn a MBA from the University of Phoenix and an EdD from UT-Austin. He is a CPA, certified internal auditor and holds a Texas Public School Superintendent Certificate.

Before returning to Brownsville in 2008, Juarez served eight years as a deputy superintendent for finance and business operations of the San Antonio School District.