Brownwood City Council Approves Ryan Ward as New Assistant City Manager of Public Works

Ward brings over 30 years of municipal, state, and private sector experience to the newly restructured role.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:58pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone city street lamp glowing under warm, angled sunlight, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about municipal infrastructure and public works oversight.Brownwood's restructuring of its public works leadership aims to guide the city through a period of growth and transition.Brownwood Today

Following an executive session, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved the hire of Ryan Ward as the new Assistant City Manager of Public Works. The role is intended to strengthen executive oversight of the city's public works functions, improve coordination of infrastructure and development services, and support capital priorities as Brownwood continues to grow.

Why it matters

The creation of this new Assistant City Manager position reflects Brownwood's efforts to restructure its public works leadership and succession planning as the current Director of Public Works nears retirement. Ward's extensive background in municipal operations, infrastructure management, and capital project delivery is expected to help guide Brownwood through this transition period.

The details

City Manager Marshal McIntosh said the new Assistant City Manager of Public Works role will help support the city's goals and long-term planning as key positions become vacant, including the impending retirement of current Director of Public Works Henry Wied. Ward, who holds a Master's degree in Public Administration and Leadership, has over 30 years of experience across municipal, state, and private sector operations, including overseeing multiple public works divisions, supervising more than 100 employees, and managing capital improvement programming.

  • On April 14, 2026, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved the hire of Ryan Ward as the new Assistant City Manager of Public Works.
  • Ward is expected to begin the new role immediately.

The players

Ryan Ward

The newly hired Assistant City Manager of Public Works for the City of Brownwood, bringing over 30 years of municipal, state, and private sector experience to the role.

Marshal McIntosh

The City Manager of Brownwood, who announced the restructuring of the public works executive oversight and the creation of the new Assistant City Manager position.

Henry Wied

The current Director of Public Works for the City of Brownwood, who is expected to retire soon.

Brownwood City Council

The governing body of the City of Brownwood that unanimously approved the hire of Ryan Ward as the new Assistant City Manager of Public Works.

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What they’re saying

“The City of Brownwood is restructuring its Executive Public Works oversight to help support goals and long term succession planning with key positions becoming vacant, including the impending retirement of current Director of Public Works Henry Wied. To help lead the transition, the City is restructuring positions to create an Assistant City Manager of Public Works. This role is intended to strengthen the executive oversight across the City's public works functions, improve the coordination of infrastructure and development services, and support capital priorities as Brownwood continues to grow.”

— Marshal McIntosh, City Manager

“It's great to join a really good team. For me, this truly is home. Thirty years later I never knew I'd have the opportunity to come back and serve this community in a role that's broad and bring a wealth of knowledge and servantship. I try and be involved in the community as well as all the departments where ever the needs are. The piece I'm most excited about with servantship and public leadership is working with staff, working with the community, working with Council to move initiatives forward and to make progress. The ISERVE culture here is a good fit, and from what I've seen over the years it's pretty amazing to see the changes and growth of Brownwood from 1996 to now. I'd like to thank Council for selecting me and giving me this opportunity.”

— Ryan Ward

What’s next

The City Council will hold second and third/final readings of the ordinance to officially close, abandon, and vacate a portion of Sharon Avenue at a future meeting.

The takeaway

Brownwood's creation of a new Assistant City Manager of Public Works role reflects the city's commitment to strengthening its public works leadership and succession planning as it continues to grow. Ward's extensive experience in municipal operations and infrastructure management is expected to help guide the city through this transition period.