Fort Worth city manager announces retirement after 10 years on the job

City Manager David Cooke, who has served as Fort Worth city manager since June 30, 2014, will retire at the end of February.

The overview

According to a city news release, Cooke's tenure has been marked by significant achievements, such as:

• Managing the $2.3 billion city government budget
• Leading approximately 8,100 employees
• Accommodating growth of approximately 20,000 new residents per year
• Fostering public/private partnerships with organizations, including Dickies Arena, Fort Worth Stockyards, Alliance, Texas A&M University expansion and Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
• Establishing the FWLab, the city's budgeting and planning division, which has become a model for other municipalities

“David Cooke’s leadership over the past 10 years has left an indelible mark on the city of Fort Worth,” Mayor Mattie Parker said. “He has continually led with integrity, intelligence and most importantly always remembering to have fun along the way. His accomplishments are too many to list, but above all, he ensured our city is in the best possible fiscal health of any large city in the country.”

What they’re saying

The news release states city officials will announce details of their transition plan soon.

“Serving as city manager has been an incredible and fulfilling journey,” Cooke said. “Together, we have built and sustained an organization that is now the 12th-largest city in the country, renowned for our exceptional customer service, neighborhood improvements, public-private partnerships, transparency and commitment to inclusive prosperity.”