A 14-year career with the City of Brownwood, including the last 10 as City Manager, is coming to an end for Emily Crawford, who on Friday will serve in her current capacity for the final time before taking over as City Manager of Abilene.
A farewell reception that drew nearly 200 citizens was held at the Brownwood Event Center Tuesday afternoon, where an emotional Crawford reflected on how far the City has come since her family arrived almost two decades ago.
“Over the last 19 years my family has called Brownwood home and I have three overarching sentiments: I am grateful, I am proud, and I am hopeful,” Crawford said in a speech to those in attendance. “I am thankful for the memories our family has made in Brownwood. I am thankful the leadership in Brownwood allowed me the opportunity to learn, to gather experience and to contribute to the shaping of our community. Second, I am proud. Brownwood is not the same city it was 14 years ago. Brownwood is no longer simply livable, it’s also lovable. I’m immensely proud to have been part of this city’s transformation. Third, I am hopeful. You have an incredible group of City employees who take public service seriously. I am hopeful about the future of Brownwood because I believe in our public servants. I am also hopeful because I know Mayor Haynes and the City Council desire to serve the residents of Brownwood today, and in the future. These voluntary leaders care deeply about their town and labor over hard decisions to ensure city services are high quality and affordable. And finally, I’m hopeful to take the lessons I’ve learned in Brownwood and apply them to the City of Abilene. Brownwood, you’re in good hands. I’m excited to see you continue to thrive and remember, I’m just up the road and will be watching you and cheering you from Abilene. I want you all to know it’s been a pleasure to serve you.”
Mayor Stephen Haynes spoke about Crawford both as a colleague and a friend, highlighted by her achievements in her time with the City and shared his gratitude.
“I am so proud of the work that we’ve done, this Council, these guys right here, are so proud of you, and we simply say thank you,” Haynes told Crawford. “On behalf of every citizen of Brownwood, whose lives are better because of what God did through you, thank you and praise God. It’s hard to see you go, but we want for you what you wanted for us, we want to see you become the very best you can be. God is calling you to Abilene in the same way He called you to Brownwood. He wasn’t wrong them, He isn’t wrong now. Go with confidence and do His work. You’ve prepared us well, we’re ready to take the next step, so we wish the best and nothing but success in your future work. We hope and pray that you’re happy, content and successful serving as the City Manager of the second-best city in the greatest state in the greatest nation on Earth. May God bless Abilene and Emily.”
Crawford also received a certificate of Congressional Recognition from U.S. Congressman August Pfluger, who represents the 11th District of Texas, for her contributions to Brownwood, as well as the City’s ISERVE Award, which Crawford founded, by Deputy City Manager Marshal McIntosh. The ISERVE Award has been presented to City employees who have gone above and beyond and have embraced the City’s core values of Integrity, Service, Excellence, Respect, Vision, and Empathy.
“We wanted to present Emily with what is the highest form of recognition that we give to City employees,” McIntosh said. “This award is usually reserved for our front line staff as well as our mid-level managers. And that award is given out to those who showcase (ISERVE) values in their daily work as public servants and lead from where they are. This is truly fitting because Emily herself believes so deeply in these core values and that leadership is not just something followed from the top, but she instilled a leadership in our organization that is implemented from the bottom up. That’s essential to why we’re here today recognizing Emily for her achievements with the City.”
Crawford began her career with the City of Brownwood in 2011 as Executive Director of the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation. She was promoted to Assistant City Manager on March 12, 2014, and was appointed as City Manager on June 24, 2015. Over the course of her leadership, the City has made significant strides in economic and community development.
Crawford is also the president-elect of the Texas City Managers Association and will begin her term as president later this month.
