McAllen News, Edinburg TX News, city government, leadership, special events
Staff Report
McAllen, TX - The City of McAllen announced the promotion of Carina Jimenez as director of the newly created Department of Special Events, a division intended to coordinate and expand citywide programming.
Jimenez most recently served as deputy director of programs for the McAllen Parks and Recreation Department. City officials said the new department will focus on aligning event strategies across departments to support planning, promotion and collaboration for major community events.
Professional background
Jimenez brings nearly 20 years of experience in event leadership, budget management, sponsorship development and public engagement, according to the announcement.
She has contributed to planning and implementation of large-scale events including the McAllen Holiday Parade, McAllen Marathon and the city’s Independence Day Celebration. City officials said these events collectively attract large numbers of residents and visitors each year.
Jimenez has also been involved in initiatives supporting McAllen’s designation as an International Festivals and Events Association World Festival and Event City for three consecutive years.
Department role
According to the city, the Department of Special Events will coordinate communication and resource-sharing related to civic recognitions, festivals and community programming.
Jimenez has managed cross-functional teams of more than 100 staff and seasonal employees and overseen multi-million-dollar event budgets since 2014. She holds the Certified Festival and Event Executive credential from the International Festivals and Events Association and currently serves as chair of the Texas Event Management Institute and secretary-treasurer of the Texas Festivals and Events Association.
Jimenez earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Source -- City of McAllen