Civic Marketplace and the Alliance for Innovation proudly announce that Ron Holifield, founder and longtime public service leader, has been named a Distinguished Member of the Texas City Management Association (TCMA), a rare and prestigious honor recognizing extraordinary contributions to the council-manager form of government and the profession of city management.

The TCMA Board of Directors unanimously approved the honor. Holifield was formally recognized during the TCMA Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas on June 20, 2025.

“I’m deeply humbled to receive this honor,” Holifield said. “For me, it’s not just recognition of a career—it’s a celebration of the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside in strengthening local government leadership across Texas and the country.”

A Legacy of Service and Innovation

With a career dedicated to public service and innovation spanning over 40 years, Ron Holifield is widely recognized for championing servant leadership in local government. He spent nearly two decades in city management, serving as City Manager in cities including Garland, DeSoto, and Sundown, and ACM in Plano, Texas—experiences that continue to resonate deeply with today’s city managers. Ron is the co-founder and President of Civic Marketplace and previously founded Strategic Government Resources (SGR) in 1999. Under his leadership, SGR became a nationally respected executive search and leadership development firm, supporting hundreds of local governments across the country.

In 2021, Holifield co-founded Civic Marketplace, a tech company transforming public procurement by making government purchasing more transparent, supporting local economic growth and driving efficiencies and savings.

“Ron has always been ten steps ahead, building not just organizations, but a movement,” said Al Hleileh, CEO of Civic Marketplace. “His contributions continue to ripple through every city that values ethical leadership, innovation, and local economic growth.”

Among the Most Distinguished in TCMA History

Ron Holifield joins a remarkably select group. Only ten professionals have been named Distinguished Members in TCMA’s nearly 100-year history, making the award one of the most exclusive recognitions in local government.

“Ron is a legend in the profession, not just for what he’s built, but for how he’s lifted others,” said Darin Atteberry, Chairman of the Alliance for Innovation. “This honor reflects the heart, integrity, and vision he’s brought to every role.”

“Ron Holifield has always embodied what public service should be—humble, visionary, and relentlessly focused on people,” said Troy Riggs, Executive Director of the Alliance for Innovation. “This recognition from TCMA is certainly well deserved. Ron’s legacy is woven into the fabric of modern local government, and we’re proud to stand beside him at this moment.”

About the Alliance for Innovation

AFI is a non-profit association of local governments dedicated to fostering innovation, foresight, and collaboration across the public sector. Originally founded in 1979 as the Innovation Groups, AFI has a 40-year history of helping local governments enhance their ability to anticipate, plan, and adapt. Through actionable insights and a steadfast commitment to preparation, AFI equips government leaders with the tools they need to confront challenges and seize opportunities on behalf of their communities. With a nationwide network, AFI’s mission is to build more resilient, proactive, and efficient communities. AFI’s collaborative culture - rooted in curiosity, generosity, and rigorous exploration - encourages members to delve into uncharted possibilities and shape the future of public service. Learn more about AFI at transformgov.org.

About Civic Marketplace

Civic Marketplace is a venture-backed technology company transforming public sector procurement through cutting-edge innovation. Our platform streamlines and accelerates procurement processes, offering local governments a user-friendly, fully compliant solution. Designed for simplicity, Civic Marketplace makes procurement straightforward. We are committed to transparency, efficiency, and supporting diverse suppliers, including historically underutilized businesses, to foster local economic growth and drive innovation. By providing access to a network of reliable, pre-approved vendors, the platform ensures legal compliance and quality assurance for every contract. Discover how we are reshaping procurement at civicmarketplace.com.

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“Ron Holifield has always embodied what public service should be—humble, visionary, and relentlessly focused on people,” said Troy Riggs, Executive Director of the Alliance for Innovation.