New Fort Worth City Manager Sworn in at Old City Hall

Formerly deputy city manager, Jesus “Jay” Chapa replaces David Cooke as city manager. Cooke is retiring in February after more than 10 years of service to the city. Chapa is Fort Worth's first Hispanic city manager.

Veteran city hall leader Jesus “Jay” Chapa was sworn in Monday as Fort Worth’s new city manager during a City Council ceremony in the old City Hall. He is the first Hispanic city manager in the city’s history.

Formerly deputy city manager, Chapa replaces David Cooke as city manager. Cooke is retiring in February after more than 10 years of service to the city. Cooke is the city’s longest-serving city manager.

During more than two decades of service, Chapa has made a lasting impact across Fort Worth, where he has championed progress and built strong neighborhood and community relationships, the city said.

In more than 25 years of service to the city, Chapa has held roles ranging from deputy city manager to director of housing and economic development, implementing policies that have strengthened the city’s economy, enhanced public safety, and ensured financial stability. The city said that Chapa led transformative projects such as the successful completion and opening of city-owned Dickies Arena, the development of Renaissance Square, and the growth of the Near Southside into a premier entertainment destination.

Now that Chapa is on board as city manager, Cooke’s role over the next 30 days will focus on projects he has shepherded, including the Fiscal Year 2024 budget closeout, and ensuring that Chapa is fully briefed on some of the city’s most complex and pressing issues such as the transition to a Fire-based EMS service.

The city is planning a community farewell to recognize Cooke’s decade-long contributions to the city from 4-6 p.m. Feb. 20 at City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail.


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