CIO Changes Rumored or Confirmed at DFPS, Waco and Brownsville

Texas’ public-sector technology leadership ranks are seeing several changes, with Waco naming a new chief information officer, Brownsville’s technology leader preparing to leave city government and industry sources pointing to a possible retirement at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

Multiple industry sources have told Industry Insider — Texas that Drew McGrath, CIO for DFPS, is expected to retire.

McGrath has led the department’s IT Services organization since late 2022, initially serving as interim CIO for a short time. He has about 30 years of IT experience in the private sector, as a contractor and with Texas state agencies. His previous roles have included software developer and engineer, analyst, tester, database administrator, architect, applications manager, operations manager, technology director and deputy CIO.

His Texas government experience includes work with the Texas Department of Transportation, Office of the Attorney General Child Support Division and Texas Division of Emergency Management. McGrath holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Texas State University.

The city of Waco has appointed Gustavo Alba as its new CIO. Alba will begin Sept. 28 and lead the city’s IT Department, overseeing technology systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity and technical support across city departments.

Alba brings more than 20 years of IT experience across municipal government, public education and the private sector. He most recently served as an MIS technology supervisor for the city of Frisco, where he oversaw infrastructure services. His previous experience includes leading infrastructure and operations across 42 city of Dallas agencies and holding a technology leadership position with the New York City Department of Education.

“Gustavo brings a valuable combination of technical expertise, municipal experience and people-focused leadership to Waco,” City Manager Ryan Holt said in a news release. “Technology touches nearly every service we provide, and Gustavo understands both the complexity of that environment and the importance of being a strong partner to our employees and departments.”

As Waco prepares to welcome a new technology leader, Brownsville is preparing for the departure of CIO Jorge Cardenas.

Cardenas announced Monday that his final day with the city will be Oct. 2. He did not describe the move as a retirement or identify his next destination, saying instead that he had decided to “begin the next chapter of my life.”

Cardenas, Brownsville’s first CIO, has served in the role since August 2022. Before becoming CIO, he served as the city’s director of enterprise applications.

During his tenure, Cardenas has worked on the city’s technology infrastructure, including its private 5G network and fiber deployment. Brownsville said in 2025 that Cardenas had overseen the installation of more than 100 miles of fiber infrastructure.

In announcing his departure, Cardenas said the city had strengthened its technology and cybersecurity foundation and worked with artificial intelligence and emerging technology during his tenure.