Bryan Bradford was recently joined by family members, colleagues and a great number of friends, to celebrate his retirement from the city of Garland. Bradford held various positions during his 30-year career at the city of Garland. For the last eight years, he served as city manager.
In his role as emcee, Mitch Bates, the city’s deputy city manager and COO, shared humorous tales as well as admiration and praise. Bates thanked Bradford for “three decades of selfless service.”
Bates introduced speakers that included: Mayor Scott LeMay; Bill Crews, Garland Firefighters Association; Steve Angell, retired GFD captain; Ricky McNeal, president of Garland’s NAACP Branch; David Gibbons, CEO of Garland Housing Finance Corporation; and Judson Rex, incoming city manager.
Past Garland mayors, current and past City Council members, retired city employees, current city employees, as well as several representatives from the police and fire departments were also on hand to honor Bradford.
There were several constants in each speaker’s remarks – deep respect and admiration Bradford, how much he cares about Garland, its staff and its residents; the difficult things through which he successfully guided the city; the calm approach with which he handled everything from day-to-day issues to major emergencies; and his dry sense of humor.
Steve Angell, retired GFD captain rescheduled a vacation to attend the retirement party. Angell had enjoyed a close friendship with the city manager. Bradford attended Angell’s retirement party, and there was no way Angell would miss the party for Bradford.
Bill Crews from the Garland Firefighters Association mentioned that Bradford always listened.
“I can’t tell you that we always agreed, but we were always heard,” Crews said.
The board of Garland Housing Finance Corporation honored Bradford with a $5,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland.
David Gibbons, the CEO of GHFC, said that in addition to being a distinguished colleague and great manager, Bradford was also a good friend.
Ricky McNeal, president of Garland’s NAACP Unit told Bradford that it had been a pleasure to work with him.
“For the last eight years you have provided exemplary leadership and professionalism. Your disposition has been unparalleled,” McNeal said.
Judson Rex, Garland’s new city manager, expressed gratitude to Bradford for guiding the city to the great status it currently enjoys. He also thanked Bradford for his guidance and friendship.
Mayor Scott LeMay shared that he’s sad to see Bradford leave.
“We have all been shaped by Bryan’s interaction with us whether it’s professional or personal,” he said.
The mayor recognized that Bradford had seen the city through some terribly difficult times. Garland faced a terrorist attack, a significant flood, multiple tornadoes, the COVID-19 pandemic, a horrific winter storm and a statewide power outage during Bradford’s tenure as city manager.
“The city of Garland came through these better than many,” LeMay said. “And it’s a credit to Bryan Bradford. He managed us through them, and he managed us out of them.”
Bradford would not take credit for the city’s accomplishments during his tenure.
“It’s extremely important to me for you to know that you’ve given me way too much credit today,” he said. “What has gotten accomplished got accomplished because the council and staff worked together as a team and because of the tireless efforts of so many who never receive the recognition they so much deserve.”
He was happy to have his wife, Teria, along with his daughters and grandson there to celebrate his retirement. His mother was also there for the celebration.
“It is incredibly special for me to have my mother here today,” Bradford said.
He added that his parents had instilled three important things in him.
“One of those was faith in God, one was the fulfillment that comes with hard work. And the third one was appreciation for the value of education,” Bradford said. “Those three things have served me very, very well in life.”