RISING STAR AWARD — 2025

Giovanny Lopez began his risk management career with the City of Irving in May 2021 as a Risk Management Intern. One of his first key projects was updating the City’s statement of values to ensure accurate insurance coverage and asset reporting. It was during this time his interest in pursuing a career in public risk management grew. In November of 2021, Giovanny joined the City of Irving full-time as the Risk & Benefits Advisor, while still completing his undergraduate degree.

Giovanny graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in Finance, concentrating in Risk Management and Insurance. Throughout his time with the City, he’s been part of numerous impact projects, including the implementation of a risk management system and the implementation of Smith System Driver Training, and has done numerous training presentations for supervisors.

In May of 2025, Giovanny was promoted to the City’s Risk Management Administrator, where his role in risk management has grown even more. He has been a member of Texas PRIMA since 2020 and presented at the 2023 Texas PRIMA Conference, sharing insights on his experience implementing a RMIS system.

2024 - Shawna Nevins, Risk Management and Insurance Analyst, Lewisville ISD
2023 - Hilda Delgado, Administration Claims Coordinator, City of South Padre Island
2022 - Mandy Riske, Risk Management Program Coordinator, City of San Marcos
2021 - Melissa Ledesma, Safety & Risk Coordinator, City of Sugar Land
2020 - Phillip Davis, Risk Management Coordinator, City of Baytown
2019 -  Lizette Gomez, MPA, City of Edinburg
2018 - Jamee Higgins, City of Midland
2017 - Travis Yarbrough, Tarrant County
2016 – Meril Philip, City of Sugarland
2015 – Bruce Berry, Klein I.S.D.
2014 – Mark J. Vacek, CSP, Port of Houston Authority
2013 – Laurel S. Ferri, Corpus Christi I.S.D.
2012 – Carlos Garcia, City of Corpus Christi
2011 – Billy E. Moore, ARM, City of Grand Prairie
2010 – John Palm III, ARM, Mesquite I.S.D.
2009 – Raul Vasquez, City of Corpus Christi
2008 – Barbara Russell, ARM, Garland I.S.D.
2007 – Jeffery McMurray, City of Rowlett
2006 – Cindy Conyers, City of San Marcos
2005 – Cindy Purinton, Travis County
2004 – Martha Rider, Fort Bend County
2003 – Judyann Robinson, Mesquite I.S.D.