Las Vegas has a new deputy city manager in town, and her name is Rosa Cortez. The Las Vegas City Council gave their unanimous nod on Wednesday, entrusting Cortez with a role that has her managing not just one but several departments. The specifics of her oversight responsibilities are yet to be molded by City Manager Mike Janssen, but they will include the hefty $1.8 billion capital improvement project fund, as reported by the City of Las Vegas announcement.
Chosen for the deputy city manager position by Janssen himself, she cut her teeth in Public Works, starting out as an engineering associate in the year 2002. Having worn various hats, her promotion came after serving as the city engineer and deputy Public Works director since 2022. Tasked with the planning, design, and construction of Las Vegas's public infrastructure, her ascent to this high-ranking position has been viewed as a testament to her mettle and dedication, according to the City of Las Vegas.
Rosa Cortez is far from being just another cog in the municipal machine. As the city's engineering division helmsman, she wielded influence on the Regional Flood Control District’s Technical Advisory Board and the Stormwater Quality Management Committee, representing Las Vegas's interests in spheres where environmental considerations intersect with urban development. As laid out in the City of Las Vegas official announcement, her professional credentials include licensure as a professional engineer and affiliations with several prestigious associations. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Cortez used the opportunities in her hometown to build a successful career, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
