The Hidden Heroes of Local Government: How One Administrator Protects 1.3 million Dallas Residents Daily
- Catherine Huckaby
- Jul 17, 2024
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 4
You might now know it, but every time you enjoy a restaurant meal in Dallas, Texas you trust the work of Narada Lee and his team of thirty-five public health professionals. As Administrator for the Consumer Health Division, Narada oversees the safety of every restaurant, monitors mosquito control, and ensures public pool safety across America's ninth-largest city. His division's work touches the daily lives of 1.3 million Dallas residents, plus countless visitors who dine in the sprawling metropolis.
"There's not a person that does not live here that doesn't go to a restaurant. Even the people that visit the City of Dallas, who live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, come to see a Dallas Mavericks game. We want to make sure it's safe for everyone."
Yet when he first saw a job posting for a "code enforcement officer" years ago, he had no idea what it meant. Fresh from a career in law enforcement and nursing injuries that forced him to reconsider his path, he read the description with curiosity.
"The posting said, ‘enforce city ordinances and issue citations,’ and I thought, ‘I already do that.’ It also offered daytime hours, which would let me spend more time with my family."
That moment of uncertainty would launch a career spanning more than a decade in Code Compliance and nearly twenty years in local government. Before assuming his current position, he served in the growing suburban city of Mansfield; today, he protects the health and safety of one of America’s largest destination cities.
From Football Fields to Public Service: An Unlikely Journey
Narada's path to public service began far from city hall. Growing up as an athlete who played football through high school, he initially envisioned becoming a football coach or managing his own business. But guidance from mentors and coaches planted seeds for a different kind of service.
"There was this one school resource officer that worked in our high school. He used to take the time to talk about what being a police officer entails, give us life lessons, and share how to walk the right path."
After college, he spent five years working at the corporate headquarters of an insurance company before making the leap to law enforcement.
"That was the moment that I knew I wanted to serve my community in some type of capacity for the rest of my life."
Life's curveballs—injuries and a change of heart—led him away from law enforcement and into code compliance. What started as a practical decision became a passion. At the City of Mansfield, where he worked for eight years, Narada witnessed firsthand how a small team could grow, be efficient, and create a lasting impact.
When he started serving at the city, there were only two people in the code compliance office. By the time he left in 2024, the team had grown to seventeen. During his tenure, he helped create a new consumer health division and developed innovative community programs. The work paid off—in 2020, Mansfield was recognized as the best code compliance department in the nation.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region has become a hub of excellence in code compliance, with several cities in the area winning national recognition in recent years. Highlighting the collaborative spirit that drives regional success, he explains:
"That means we're doing the right things. We are sharing information, we are collaborating with each other as leaders and we are getting the job done."
The Science Behind Keeping Dallas Safe
What some do not realize is how scientifically rigorous food safety inspection really is. One hundred percent of Narada's staff hold bachelor's degrees, each joining the team with the tenacity to serve and advance the field of public health.
"What we do is science-based. When my staff go to a restaurant, they're evaluating whether any food handling practices or conditions could lead to some type of foodborne illness."
The work requires a minimum of thirty credit hours of science to obtain the registered sanitarian license from the state of Texas. These are not just inspectors—they are public health professionals working to prevent foodborne illness across one of America's largest cities.
"Back in the 1970s and 1980s, sanitarians wore white coats like doctors," he recalls, highlighting the medical nature of the profession that many people do not understand. His team works closely with organizations like the Dallas County Health and Human Services, CDC and FDA, dealing with public health professionals and doctors regularly, along with professional associations like the National Environmental Health Association.
Beyond restaurant inspections, the division handles mosquito prevention and control throughout the city—work that became particularly critical during recent outbreaks.
"Last year was pretty challenging for the DFW region. We want to stay ahead of those situations through continuous surveillance and research."
The mosquito control work involves extensive community education, particularly with high-risk populations, such as senior adults and children. He shares,
“This means talking to parents about how they can keep their kids safe during the summer months, educating residents on the purpose and safety of our mosquito-control spraying program, and recommending practical steps they can take to protect their own properties."
Community Engagement That Creates Real Change
For Narada, community engagement goes far beyond showing up to meetings or hosting forums. "In my role, community engagement involves being intentional. Having those active listening skills to make sure I’m hearing what the actual concern is and then delivering solutions that address the community needs in each circumstance."
His approach emphasizes action over talk.
"I think it's not enough just to invite community members to the table. You must be intentional about putting together a plan and with actionable steps to make sure things are executed in the way they were designed to be."
This philosophy extends to transparency and accountability. The division is developing a public dashboard that will allow residents to track everything from the number of restaurant inspections to mosquito control activities.
Complementing the new public dashboard, each inspection also generates a QR code that links businesses to a customer service survey, ensuring continuous service deliver improvement to our valued customers.
"You must have quantifiable measures in place to evaluate your work. That’s why we are developing a public dashboard where residents can see exactly the number of mosquito control activities we've done, the number of cases we open up, and the number of cases we close in real time."
The division's community outreach also extends to schools, where they target third through fifth graders with fun activities and cartoon-like public health presentations. "It's amazing how much knowledge the kids retain and how much they already know. It’s important that we try to reach everybody to help keep them safe."
One of the biggest challenges in Narada's work is overcoming misconceptions about government services. He addresses these head-on through clear communication and consistent, uniform treatment across all neighborhoods.
"Sometimes there can be a perception that certain affluent zip codes receive more attention or quicker services than other zip codes. That is not the case - we work hard to show that our processes are applied consistently citywide, which is why we must go the extra mile to better explain our processes.”
His team works to provide standardized food safety education and support to all business owners, regardless of location. He says the key is to first build trust.
"We want our customers to understand the things we have set in place for the city, whether it's an ordinance, or different programs and services we provide. Earning their informed buy-in strengthens public health, supports economic vitality, and drives consistent compliance."
Building the Next Generation of Public Servants
Narada is also passionate about addressing the hiring pipeline challenge in public service careers. Many qualified candidates start in local government but eventually move to federal, state, or private sector positions, creating gaps at the local level. His solution involves proactive outreach to college students and creating meaningful internship opportunities.
"This last year, we have been successful in building partnerships with Universities and emerging public health professionals, giving students direct access to experienced practitioners and a front-row seat to the realities of working in the public sector."
This summer, his division is hosting an intern from the State University of New York through the National Environmental Health Association's program. It is a paid internship where the student will work on mosquito vector control research. "Her capstone project will deal with the relations between mosquito vector control practices, mosquito-borne viruses and the population health in the City of Dallas," he explains.
The internship program represents a broader effort to show young professionals the real-world impact they can have in local government.
"By opening our doors to young professionals, we gain fresh perspectives that help solve problems and spark innovation, leading to meaningful change in the community."
This accessibility is particularly important because many young people from underserved communities do not understand the breadth of local government careers.
"I know that when I was growing up, City Hall felt distant and abstract. As a kid, I had no idea what a city manager or most city employees did; the only public servants' roles I recognized were firefighters and police officers. Those were the two visible professions that I saw every day in my community."
Today's efforts to change that include high school internship programs and career days at regional universities.
"One of the great initiatives recently reestablished for the City of Dallas includes a city-wide summer internship program. I think that’s helping build a strong pipeline for the next generation of public servants."
Leadership Lessons and Systems Thinking
His own leadership philosophy has been shaped by mentors across different sectors and personal spheres. From Leon Wright, a retired Marine who taught him to stay mission-focused when overcoming challenges during his brief stint working in the Department of Defense contracting, to Dr. Joseph Portugal, his MPA professor at the University of Texas in Arlington, who provided life lessons that "will stick with me for the rest of my life."
He also credits his high school football coach, Wallace Davis, adding discipline and team-first mindset during his formative years. Just as influential is the unwavering support of his wife and family, whose encouragement gives him the confidence to tackle new challenges and lead with humility with dignity. These diverse influences have shaped his approach to leadership:
"One of the biggest things I remind my team is that individual contributions are important, but it's the collective of those efforts that help us to be successful."
Guided by James Clear's principle from "Atomic Habits"—"You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems," he focuses on creating sustainable systems rather than just achieving short-term goals.
"One thing I'm focused on is building a system that will be put into place and run seamlessly, whether I'm here or somebody else steps in. I want to ensure that it operates like a well-oiled machine."
This will help ensure that excellence continues regardless of personnel changes.
Working under the leadership of his department director, Christopher Christian, he has found an environment where leaders are empowered to innovate and lead.
"One of his greatest strengths is how he empowers his team. He entrusts each of us to lead our own division and portfolio, asking only that we steward resources responsibly and uphold a standard of excellence."
This empowerment has allowed Narada to build and lead his team effectively. "I work around tremendous leaders. I am just one of many other leaders within the department," he says, noting that many of his colleagues could "probably become a successful executive leader for any city or organization in America."
Why Local Government Impact Matters Most
When asked why community members should engage with local government, his answer comes from personal experience as a resident. Having moved to Fort Worth and seeing the growing demand for infrastructure improvements firsthand, he understands the importance of community engagement.
"It's very important to embrace citizen engagement. During the initial communication with our office, we don’t get the full scope of the issue that has been reported. When community members show up, share their concerns, and work with us, we can solve problems together and ensure accountability," he explains.
"Not just sharing your concerns, but partnering with City staff and elected officials in solving complex problems and sharing resources. Communities thrive when collaboration and accountability is the top priority."
This connection between citizen engagement and effective government service drives his broader philosophy about public service. "At the local government level, we get a bird's eye vantage point on how policies and programs impact the community," he explains. "Working at this level, you are going to feel the public’s reaction to a policy, good or bad, play out in real-time. Securing buy-in from the start will afford us an opportunity to develop a policy that serve the community’s best interest."
Whether it is ensuring restaurant safety, preventing mosquito-borne diseases, or maintaining public pools, local government professionals like Narada and his team work behind the scenes to make daily life safer and more comfortable. "
"Our work impacts every single resident in the city of Dallas - that's 1.3 million residents."
Essential Skills and Mindset for Public Service Success
Based on his decade-plus experience across multiple cities and roles, Narada has identified a few critical skills needed for success in local government.
Communication tops the list, along with emotional intelligence and the ability to remain objective, which is crucial when dealing with frustrated residents. He also stresses the importance of being a problem solver, someone who can diagnose an issue quickly, allocate the right resources, and adapt when circumstances change.
"You have to learn how to overcome challenges and get the job done," he emphasizes, referencing the expectation set by his former director.
"Find your True North, focus on the mission, and do whatever it takes to solve the problem and get the job done."
Having a strong educational foundation matters too. "People need to learn about the structure of government operations. Courses in public administration build that foundation, while business classes add crucial financial and management skills. Local governments operate much like businesses, only with greater accountability and fiduciary oversight. As public servants, we must be exemplary stewards of taxpayer dollars."
Core professional skills include active listening, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. Personal qualities that matter include developing thick skin, showing empathy, maintaining a proactive mindset, and treating everyone with respect.
Most importantly, he believes that successful public servants must focus on collective success rather than individual achievement.
A Career Worth Pursuing
Narada's journey from athlete to law enforcement officer to public health administrator illustrates the diverse paths that can lead to meaningful public service. His story shows that local government careers offer unique opportunities to create systems, build relationships, and make measurable differences in people's daily lives.
The next time you enjoy a safe meal at a Dallas restaurant or attend an outdoor event without worrying about mosquito-borne illness, remember that professionals like Narada and his team are working behind the scenes to make your experience in Dallas safe and enjoyable. They represent the hidden heroes of local government—the food safety consultants, educators, relationship builders, and problem solvers who protect public health and safety every single day.
Their work stands as a testament to what is possible when dedicated professionals commit to excellence in public service. His focus on systems, transparency, community engagement, and developing the next generation shows how local government can evolve to meet modern challenges while maintaining its core mission of serving residents.
Whether ensuring food safety, controlling disease vectors, or building the next generation of public servants, professionals like Narada work to make our communities healthier, safer, and more responsive to resident needs. Their impact may be invisible to the public, but it touches every aspect of daily life in ways that matter deeply.
Looking ahead, he sees his current role as preparation for city management, where he can have an even broader impact. His goal is simple but profound:
"I want to build the type of legacy of a public servant who leads with integrity and unwavering transparency."
The work is not always easy, and it is not for everyone. But for those with the right skills and desire to serve, local government offers opportunities to make tangible, daily differences in people's lives.
For those considering a career in public service, his message is clear:
"The greatest reward in this work is knowing we’ve changed someone’s life for the better. No paycheck can match the satisfaction of doing what’s right, strengthening our community, and leaving a legacy that will continue to shape lives for years to come."
Professional Resources and Organizations Mentioned
Key resources for those interested in public health and local government careers:
The City of Dallas is a major Texas municipality dedicated to "Service First" excellence. The ninth largest city on the United States emphasizes core values such as empathy, ethics, and engagement, and provides extensive online access to city services and information.
The City of Mansfield is a vibrant Texas city providing residents with easy access to city services like job applications, bill payments, and public meeting information. The city is also recognized for its community engagement and recent selection as a potential FIFA World Cup 2026™ team base camp.
The State University of New York (SUNY) is one of the largest public university systems in the United States, comprising a network of colleges and universities across New York State. It offers over 7,600 degree and certificate programs and is known for providing affordable, high-quality education to a diverse student body.
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is the leading professional organization supporting environmental health professionals in the U.S. and globally, representing over 7,000 members. It advances environmental health science through education, advocacy, credentialing, and networking resources.
The Texas Environmental Health Association (TEHA) is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the work of environmental health professionals in Texas. It provides professional development, networking opportunities, and advocacy for those working in environmental and public health.
The American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the profession of code enforcement. AACE offers various certification programs, including Certified Code Enforcement Officer, Certified Code Enforcement Administrator, and the prestigious Master Code Enforcement Professional Certification. The organization also collaborates with the International Code Council (ICC) to provide combined certification exams.
Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) is a national network that connects, educates, and inspires local government professionals. It focuses on innovative practices, professional development, and fostering leadership in public service.
The Code Enforcement Association of Texas (CEAT) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and advancing code enforcement officers across Texas. CEAT provides training, certification programs, networking opportunities, and resources to help professionals uphold local codes and regulations effectively.
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is a global association for city and county managers and local government professionals, providing leadership development, research, and best practices to improve local governance.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares students for leadership roles in public service, focusing on management, policy analysis, and ethical governance.
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear is a bestselling self-help book by James Clear that explores how small, incremental changes can lead to significant personal and professional transformation.
