Government
BY JACOB VAUGHN
Get to know Keller’s new city manager Aaron Rector
The Keller City Council approved the appoint- ment of Aaron Rector as its city manager in December. He was hired as the city’s nancial director in 2016 and was promoted to director of administrative services two years later. Since then, Rector has managed the city’s more than $100 million annual budget and helped implement Keller’s self insurance program, where the city takes on the cost of bene t claims rather than relying on traditional insurance companies. He also introduced several programs to streamline services, trim expenses and enhance customer service, according to the city’s website. Now Rector has several priorities for Keller as city manager, including balancing development with the community’s small-town feel. What brought you to Keller in the rst place, and what excites you about the city? I grew up in the metroplex and wanted to move closer to family while nding an opportunity that would allow for career growth. Keller has always had a strong reputation, and I’m excited to be part of a city that balances progress with commu- nity values. As we approach buildout, I’m looking forward to focusing on strategic projects like the Keller Sports Park and Old Town. What are your top priorities as you begin your new role? My rst priority is continuing to learn the city manager role and ensuring that Keller continues to thrive as we approach full buildout. A big focus in the years ahead will be on long-term sustain- ability—ensuring we have the right plans in place for infrastructure, public safety and economic development. I also want to keep key projects and our economic development strategic plan moving forward in a way that ts Keller’s charac- ter and future needs. I want to continue city redevelopment and ensure our future growth continues to re ect the expectations of our residents. We’re looking at ways to encourage investment in areas like Old Town and along Highway 377, such as our facade and life safety grants, to foster improvements rather than waiting for change. Another priority is nancial sustainability—making sure we plan ahead for revenues that will eventually level o while keeping our budget and services stable. How do you plan to balance development with preserving Keller’s small-town feel? The key is ensuring that any new development aligns with our community’s expectations and
complements our existing neighborhoods and businesses. We have engaged residents who make their voices heard, and we’ll continue to listen to their input as we consider future projects. That said, we’re keeping an eye on state legislation that could reduce local control over development and density issues; some of the proposed bills this session could signi cantly impact the charac- ter of our community. What types of businesses or industries do you think Keller should focus on attracting? Our residents consistently ask for more restau- rants and family-friendly entertainment options, so those are key areas of focus in our recruitment e orts. We also see an opportunity to make Old Town more than just a dining destination by fostering an entertainment district. Big-box retail seems to be fading, so we may also want to consider positioning Keller as a hub for indus- tries like medical services or smaller business campuses. What steps will you and sta take to manage tra c and infrastructure demands as Keller grows? Keller prioritizes street maintenance more than most cities of our size and our ve-year Capital Improvement Plan ensures we’re keeping up with infrastructure needs while maintaining the small-town feel. Rather than signi cant expansions, I anticipate our focus will remain on maintaining existing roads, improving tra c ow where possible and minimizing tra c impacts in residential areas. Are there any projects or initiatives that you’re particularly excited about? I’m excited about the continued revitalization of Old Town, the Keller Sports Park expansion and our public-private partnership on the City Sports campus. Elm Street, in particular, will be a signi cant project that enhances that area and sets the tone for future redevelopment of the side streets in eastern Old Town. What has surprised you most about your new role? I’ve always known that Keller residents were engaged, but stepping into this role has given me an even greater appreciation for how vocal and passionate they are. I never had many phone calls while running the nance department, but this position means tackling a wide variety of issues and hearing from more people. The feedback helps guide our decisions and keeps us focused on what’s best for the community.
COURTESY OF CITY OF KELLER
Aaron Rector was named the city manager in December 2024 after serving in an interim role for nearly a year.
DON MUNSCH COMMUNITY IMPACT
2016 Joined city of Keller as nance director
2018 Promoted to director of administrative services
January 2024 Selected as Keller’s interim city manager
December 2024 Appointed as Keller city manager
SOURCE: CITY OF KELLER COMMUNITY IMPACT
What else should residents know about you? I live in Keller with a wonderful wife, two young kids and a dog. I love spending time outdoors [and] cheering on my kids in gymnastics and baseball. We are proud Texas Aggies and big Dallas Stars fans.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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