Anthony V. Cao is set to become the new boss of Mesquite's Housing and Community Services come April. Cao, with a hefty resume showcasing stints in Irving, McKinney, and Dallas, is bringing his government chops to the table to improve the city’s housing and community services, according to the City of Mesquite, Texas.
Before signing on to his new gig in Mesquite, Cao played the part of Strategic Services Senior Manager in Irving where his plate was more than full—he tackled the daily grind of the City Manager’s Office, Strategic Services, Innovation, and Performance Office, and didn't skip a beat with the Public Safety Wellness Unit, according to the city's statement. Not one to sit still, Cao cut his teeth on public service as Transit Administrator in McKinney and sharpened them as Senior Grants Coordinator and Youth Commission Coordinator for Big D, or Dallas if you're not privy to local nicknames.
The University of Texas at Dallas can claim Cao as an alum, not once, but twice over, as he snagged both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and still lends his expertise as an advisory board member to its Public and Nonprofit Management program—he’s not just an alumnus, he's giving back by shaping minds that will one day run our cities. His professional network stretches wider than Texas with memberships in the International City/County Management Association, Texas City/County Management Association, and the Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, which serve as a testament to his engagement with the city management community.
Once Cao steps into his role of Director in Mesquite, he won't have any time to rest on his laurels, tasked with managing not just the Housing Division and Community Development Block Grant, but also steering Neighborhood Vitality, Volunteer Services, the Behavioral Health Division, this last being home to the Community Care Team; all central aspects to community welfare and advancement, as outlaid by the city’s statement. Mesquite's housing landscape and its community heartbeat are in for some Cao-caliber leadership, and if his past is anything to go by, change is on the horizon.
