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EL PASO | Renard U. Johnson In Texas's sixth-largest city, the new Mayor is building a legacy of innovation and inclusion.
B reaking ground and bringing ideas into fruition is all about leadership and service for El Paso's 53rd Mayor, Renard U. Johnson (Theta Xi 1985). Johnson assumed office on January 6, 2025. He grew up on the northeast side of El Paso and graduated from Andress High School as well as the University of Texas at El Paso. He was named an outstanding alumnus of Andress and received rec- ognition as a distinguished alumnus from UTEP. Despite coming from humble beginnings, El Paso afforded him the education and opportunities to pursue his dreams. He founded METI Inc., one of El Paso’s fastest-growing and most successful companies, providing systems engineering, information technology, and natural resource man- agement support to government and commercial customers worldwide. Mayor Johnson has also received
The Honorable Renard U. Johnson is the first African American and 53rd Mayor to lead the city of El Paso, Texas.
Magazine as one of the best tequilas in the world. Recently, the Journal had the opportunity to talk with Mayor Johnson about leadership and his community. LEADERSHIP WITH PURPOSE “Leadership isn’t about titles or positions—it’s about serving with a purpose,” says the new Mayor and dynamic leader at the helm of El Paso. Since taking office, Johnson’s leader- ship style—rooted in collaboration, transparency, and innovation—has ignited a wave of optimism across the city. For Johnson, the goal is clear; to transform El Paso into a thriving hub
of economic growth, opportunity, and inclusivity. “My leadership style has been cen- tered on collaboration, transparency, and innovation,” Johnson explains. “I believe in working closely with city officials, businesses, and community members to develop policies that drive economic growth, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life.” His focus on lowering property taxes, creating high-paying jobs, and enhanc- ing public safety reflects a mayor who listens to the pulse of his community. His strategy to attract businesses that align with El Paso’s strengths and show
numerous awards, including the Minority Business Enterprise of the Year from the United States
Department of Commerce. INC. 500 magazine ranked his business the 6th fastest-growing company in the U.S., and Black Enterprise magazine listed it among the largest Black-owned firms in the nation. In 2020, he founded El Perro Grande Tequila, a company also headquartered in El Paso, Texas, which has received accolades from Forbes
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