The City of Fort Worth is poised to hire a new city manager: Jesus “Jay” Chapa, who boasts extensive experience in local government, is set to become the new city manager pending approval by the City Council on Tuesday, December 10.

According to a release, Chapa is the lone finalist for the job. If confirmed, he'll make history as Fort Worth’s first Hispanic city manager.

Current City Manager David Cooke announced in his retirement in July. He'll leave his post in February 2025.

More than 150 candidates from across the country applied; of those, 14 candidates were presented to the City Council. Five semifinalists were interviewed by the council before it was narrowed down to Chapa as a finalist.

Chapa served as deputy city manager of Fort Worth from 2020-2022 and has more than 20 years of experience in city management and economic development, including roles as assistant city manager, director of housing and economic development, director of economic and community development, and working with Fort Worth Police Department leadership.

He also led significant projects such as the completion and opening of Dickies Arena, the development of Renaissance Square, and the growth of the Near Southside.

In February 2022, Chapa started a consulting company to provide strategic advice to local governments, public agencies, and businesses.

“Jay is a man of brilliant creative thinking, has led most of the public-private partnership efforts in the city over the past 10 years, and has an unmatched ability to hit the ground running,” says Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement. “His proven financial stewardship has and will continue to set the nation’s 12th largest city up for success far into the future. Jay is one of the most qualified city managers in the country — and we are the lucky ones because Jay already calls Fort Worth home.”