Loyal Champions Club members know it takes a full team to keep our award-winning facility running at world-class capacity.
Everyone in the Community Services Department plays their part in keeping The Marq in tip-top shape, from the front-facing Managers on Duty to our dependable custodians. When it comes to major maintenance management and projects, however, no one knows more than our new Building Operations Supervisor, Robert Sexton!
Robert is a long-time Parks and Recreation professional with ample aquatics, parks, and maintenance experience. His unique background makes him a perfect addition to our team. Robert hit the ground running when he started with us. Now that the dust has settled, let’s get to know him a bit better.
What did you do before coming to Southlake?
I was the parks and aquatics maintenance supervisor for the City of Hurst Parks Department. I worked for the City of Hurst Parks Department for 22 years. I did landscape, athletics, and irrigation. For the last 13 years, I did aquatics maintenance and started to do playground maintenance also.
What made you want to go into local government?
I actually fell into local government by accident. When I was 18, I was working at a hamburger restaurant and a group of code enforcement guys came in and told me about a position open in the parks department. I looked into it and applied. It was the best decision I have ever made!
What are you most excited about in your new position?
The most exciting thing about my position for me is getting to learn a whole new system of operation!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, getting to go scuba diving at some of the local dive parks, grilling out, and hanging out with the family.
What’s a good piece of maintenance advice staff and members should keep in mind?
Preventative maintenance is key!
Welcome to the team Robert! We are so happy to have you looking out for our incredible facility. If you see Robert out at about throughout The Marq, make sure to thank him for his hard work!
Loyal Champions Club members know it takes a full team to keep our award-winning facility running at world-class capacity.
Everyone in the Community Services Department plays their part in keeping The Marq in tip-top shape, from the front-facing Managers on Duty to our dependable custodians. When it comes to major maintenance management and projects, however, no one knows more than our new Building Operations Supervisor, Robert Sexton!
Robert is a long-time Parks and Recreation professional with ample aquatics, parks, and maintenance experience. His unique background makes him a perfect addition to our team. Robert hit the ground running when he started with us. Now that the dust has settled, let’s get to know him a bit better.
What did you do before coming to Southlake?
I was the parks and aquatics maintenance supervisor for the City of Hurst Parks Department. I worked for the City of Hurst Parks Department for 22 years. I did landscape, athletics, and irrigation. For the last 13 years, I did aquatics maintenance and started to do playground maintenance also.
What made you want to go into local government?
I actually fell into local government by accident. When I was 18, I was working at a hamburger restaurant and a group of code enforcement guys came in and told me about a position open in the parks department. I looked into it and applied. It was the best decision I have ever made!
What are you most excited about in your new position?
The most exciting thing about my position for me is getting to learn a whole new system of operation!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, getting to go scuba diving at some of the local dive parks, grilling out, and hanging out with the family.
What’s a good piece of maintenance advice staff and members should keep in mind?
Preventative maintenance is key!
Welcome to the team Robert! We are so happy to have you looking out for our incredible facility. If you see Robert out at about throughout The Marq, make sure to thank him for his hard work!
Promoting learning and growth is a fundamental part of our City and Community Services departmental strategy. The best way to achieve that corporate objective is when our employees move up our ranks!
Luis Marquez is a prime example of a home-grown employee in the Community Services Department. Luis is currently the Athletics Coordinator for the Recreation division, but he’s no stranger to our recreational programs. Throughout his time with the City, Luis has held multiple part-time positions that have created world-class experiences for our customers.
Luis began his journey with the Community Services Department as a Recreation Attendant for Athletics in December 2019. In 2020, he worked as Camp Counselor during Spring Break and Summer Camp Mania. Luis became a Recreation Specialist in December of 2021, wearing multiple hats by working with the Cross Timbers Forest Preschool, Athletics, and Programming teams. His last part-time role was Nature Camp Counselor at Bob Jones Nature Center before being promoted to his first full-time position later during the summer.
Let’s see what he has to say about his new role.
What is your favorite part about your current position?
“It’s hard to pick one favorite part about being the Athletics Coordinator, so I’ll pick two! I love when I see old faces from Camp. They love coming up to me to say hi and say they miss me being a counselor. Also, I like that I can use all the feedback I received over the last three years and implement them in our leagues. From what I’ve seen and heard, most participants have enjoyed participating in our Fall Leagues. This year’s Fall Leagues are my first to coordinate as a full-time employee.”
What do you hope to accomplish in this role?
“Ultimately, my main goal is to ensure all participants have fun while maintaining the level of competition they seek. It’s super important to enjoy the sport in all aspects. My current goal is to help improve registration numbers for girls across all leagues. I love seeing girls play in our flag football league and would love that trend to continue!”
What is something Athletics participants should know?
“I plan to be active throughout our leagues, so you’ll see me often on game days! Come say hi to all the Athletics staff!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“In my free time, I like to play video games, hang out with friends on the weekend, or go to the gym!”
Congratulations on settling into your new role this Fall season, Luis! We can’t wait to see what else you’ll accomplish!
There’s a new Manager on Duty in Champions Club, and her name is Jenni Mesa!
Loyal Champions Club members might have noticed a new face sporting the fashionable black polo reserved for the Manager on Duty. Jenni Mesa is the newest member of the Guest Services team at Champions Club, and we are very excited for our members to get to know her.
Jenni is no stranger to municipal government or Parks and Recreation. Let’s learn a little more about her journey!
What’s your professional background?
I have worked in municipal government ever since I was 16 years old. I started as a lifeguard when I was a junior in high school. I then got my Water Safety Instructor certification and eventually my Lifeguard Instructor certification. I later became the manager for the City of Gainesville pools.
In other words, parks and Rec is everything I have ever done! I work as a Youth Library Technician for the City of Lewisville in addition to my MOD position here. I am working on my Master's in Library Sciences and hope to become a Librarian. Ideally, I want to work for a youth department in a city library, but I'm open to whatever life throws at me. I graduated with my Bachelor's in English from the University of Florida (go gators) and currently attend the University of North Texas.
When did you start with the City, and what other positions have you had?
I started about six weeks ago as a Child Watch Spec. And now I am here as MOD!
What are you looking forward to the most about your new position?
My favorite part about working for the public is building a repertoire with the community I serve. I've loved that with all my public positions, and I'm sure I'll love it here once I learn the faces and names of our current regulars! I also am very open to hearing my coworkers' wants, needs, and complaints. As a manager, I am here to help the Champions Club staff and our members!
What do you like to do when not at work?
Considering my current degree in progress, it's no surprise that I love reading. Need a recommendation? Hit me up! I also have two dogs, so they take up a lot of time with cuddles. I am an excellent cook and baker if I do say so myself! Expect baked goods in the breakroom in the fall. I also like to play video games and have a Nintendo Switch and a PS5. My "to-be-played" list of games is way too long.
What’s something our Champions Club Family should know about you?
Champions Club staff should know that I am approachable, and I will always have your back! I believe in second chances, and I believe in taking opportunities to learn. Something fun about me is that I will argue until the end of time that Yoda becoming Grand Master and the Jedi General is a reason why the Jedi Order fell.
Our Champions Club members should know that I am trying my best to get in the swing of things, and it won't be long until I do!
Congratulations on your new position, Jenni! We look forward to seeing your positive contributions to Champions Club!
