New councilor brings engineer’s outlook
Governing body to vote on confirming mayor’s District 5 appointment
If her appointment is confirmed by the Rio Rancho Governing Body on Wednesday, Jennifer Flor said, her years of experience as a civil engineer in the private and public sectors will shape her time as a city councilor.
“I see a lot of opportunity here,” she said. “Since I’ve come here in 2006, I’ve seen it grow, I’ve seen a lot of great things added to this city and I want to be a part of what makes this city great.”
Flor was appointed by Mayor Gregg Hull earlier this month to fill the District 5 city council vacancy created by Shelby Smith’s departure on July 31. Flor would fill the remaining two years in Smith’s term.
Smith in March announced his intentions to step down to help take care of his parents in Phoenix.
Flor, a native Californian, discovered Rio Rancho over 10 years ago on a cross-country road trip with her soon-tobe-husband.
“We came to Rio Rancho on our road trip and we saw the opportunity here and we thought we could maybe make a life here,” Flor said. “We explored the opportunity — one thing led to another, I got a job and we moved out here.”
Shortly after their move in 2006, Flor began work as a civil engineer for Wilson & Company, where she stayed until 2012. While there, she helped with the technical design for drainage-related projects and managed a team of employees for numerous projects.
Flor, 34, worked for the City of Rio Rancho Public Works Department from October 2013 to September 2014, working as a project manager on transportation and waterrelated infrastructure projects, including the recycled water tank and booster station constructed in District 2. She also was also one of two city representatives on the Mid-Region Council of Governments’ transportation planning task force.
“I think I bring to the table a unique understanding of what both (private and public sector) sides are going to face when trying to bring projects and ideas to reality, so I think I’ll be able to give input and try to streamline some processes and make things happen in this city,” she said.
Flor said she plans to continue Smith’s role as a “promoter of public safety,” as well as promote infrastructure and job growth in her district.
If her appointment is confirmed, Flor will give the governing body its first female majority.
“I think I can provide a viewpoint about issues that people my age and my generation face and I feel like that will give a nice, well-rounded view of our city,” she said. “I think it’s great to have different viewpoints from every perspective — male, female, young.
“I think it’s a good idea to diversify so you represent all the people in the city, and they all have a voice through us.”