Interim City Manager Samuel Keith Selman has announced the appointment of former Fire Chief Steve Landin as the new Assistant City Manager.
Contingent upon the completion of his pre-employment screening process, Landin will join the City Manager’s office on Monday, August 1.
The 30-year veteran of City employment previously served as Fire Chief before taking on the role of Emergency Management Coordinator for Webb County. He was hired as a firefighter for the City of Laredo on April 2, 1990.
Landin said he looks forward to working with recently appointed interim City Manager Rosario C. Cabello and Assistant City Manager Riazul I. Mia.
“I feel blessed to come here to serve the City in this time of brokenness. During Mr. Selman’s time as interim City Manager, he had an opportunity to study the problems between the City Council and management on the third floor. He steadied the ship. He made the decision to hire me before he left, and I will do my best in this capacity,” he continued.
Landin recalled that it took a team to stabilize the Fire Department when he came in as Chief. “I have extensive experience in team building. I come in peace with the expectation to have tranquility and respect between the third floor and City Council members and to establish relationships that work to address issues that improve the quality of life for all Laredoans.
“It is well known that some members of the sitting Council felt they had sway with a former City Manager to influence hiring and firing of personnel. This is certainly evident in recent history in which the revolving door through which new hires for City Managers and City Attorneys arrived and then so quickly exited,” Landin observed.
“If this point of view offends anyone, they should know I don’t mince words. My uncle Luis Landin counseled me as a child that what you see, you have to say, that truth-telling is an invaluable virtue and a tool,” he concluded.
Landin holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology from Pikes Peak Community College (Colorado Springs, Colorado) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics with an emphasis in Fire Administration from Empire State College (New York). He is also a Certified Public Manager.
Chief Landin has earned Master level certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection including Master Firefighter, Master Airport Firefighter, Master Arson Investigator, and Master Fire Inspector. Other certifications include Rescue, EMS, Haz-Mat, Peace Officer, and Fire Service Instructor.
