City of Lewisville names Aaron Russell and Tadd Phillips as Assistant City Managers

Lewisville City Manager Claire Powell is proud to announce the promotion of Aaron Russell and Tadd Phillips as Assistant City Managers, as part of a broader reorganization of City departments.

The new roles are not a one-for-one replacement of outgoing leadership; rather, they reflect a restructured executive team following the retirements of Deputy City Manager Gina McGrath, who will retire in January 2027, and Assistant City Manager Jim Proce, who retired in January 2026.

"Aaron and Tadd each bring a distinct set of strengths to the Assistant City Manager role, and both have earned the trust and respect of our organization," said City Manager Claire Powell.

Aaron Russell

Russell will oversee Engineering, Planning, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation. He has served as Lewisville's Director of Public Works since 2023, overseeing capital improvements, drainage, water, wastewater, solid waste operations, and fleet and facilities maintenance.

"I'm honored to step into this new role and deeply grateful for the trust our City Manager and leadership team have shown in me. Public Works is home to an exceptional team, and I've learned so much working alongside them over the past few years. I look forward to working closely with the teams in Engineering, Planning, and Parks and Recreation, and to building on the great work already underway to serve this community," said Russell.

Russell has more than 20 years of city government experience, including two years as Assistant City Manager in Weatherford and 13 years as Director of Public Works in Burleson, along with roles in Addison, Decatur, and Allen. Russell is a licensed professional engineer and holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from New Mexico State University.

"Lewisville has grown so much, and it's exciting to be part of shaping what comes next," said Russell. "I want residents to know that behind every road project, every park, every utility line, there's a team of people who care deeply about getting it right. That's what I'm most proud to be a part of."

"Aaron has deep operational expertise and a strong understanding of the infrastructure and services that keep our city running," said Powell. "He is a practical, solutions-oriented leader who knows how to bring people together and move complex projects forward."

Tadd Phillips

Phillips will oversee Human Resources, Municipal Court, Finance, Budget, and Library & Arts. He has served as Lewisville's Director of Human Resources since January 2023, leading the City's Human Resources, Training and Risk Management teams.

"Tadd brings exceptional experience in organizational leadership, employee development and building strong workplace cultures," said Powell. "He is thoughtful, strategic and highly skilled at developing relationships across the organization. His ability to understand both people and systems will be especially valuable as we prepare our workforce and organization for the future."

Under Phillips' leadership, the HR department re-established competitive pay and benefits, resulting in lower employee turnover and vacancies. He served as staff liaison to the 2024-25 City Charter Commission, whose work resulted in the citizen approval of five propositions. Additionally, he initiated the Lewisville United Volunteers program that launched in April 2026, to increase and improve city-related community volunteerism.

"Lewisville is a special place," said Phillips. "I can't wait to meaningfully partner with the City's capable leaders in support of the community I call home."

Phillips brings more than 20 years of municipal human resources experience across five Texas cities, including director-level roles in Georgetown, McKinney, and San Angelo. Beyond Human Resources, Phillips is dedicated to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the University of North Texas, along with SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. He is a past president of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association and the Texas Public Employer Labor Relations Association.

He's earned certifications from the Finance for New and Emerging City Managers Program through NCTCOG, Leadership ICMA, the University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute, and a Denver Peak Academy Black Belt in process improvement.

"Together, Aaron and Tadd strengthen our executive leadership team and position Lewisville well for the opportunities and challenges ahead," said Powell. "I am confident they will help us continue delivering high-quality services, supporting our employees and advancing the community's long-term priorities."