RISING STAR AWARD — 2021

Melissa Ledesma
Safety & Risk Coordinator, City of Sugar Land

Melissa Ledesma began her career in risk management at the City of Sugar Land as the Safety and Risk Coordinator in 2018. Since joining the staff, her goal has been to improve, develop and implement new ideas to the City’s safety program. She received her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health from Columbia Southern University and has continued her education by obtaining multiple certifications since. Prior to working in the field of public risk management, she worked as a Safety Compliance Manager in the private sector and has
over five years of experience in the safety management field.

Melissa manages the City of Sugar Land’s Safety Program, Workers’ Compensation Program, and Drug & Alcohol Testing Program. She has been instrumental in revamping the City of Sugar Land’s CPR and AED program, reducing accidents in the city’s fleet, and creating the City of Sugar Land’s first Commercial Driver’s License training program. Melissa is the chair, or member of, numerous safety and wellness committees within the city.

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.