Rivas has more than 25 years of experience in crisis management, emergency management and city administration. He came to the City of Mesquite in 2011.

Before he was an Assistant City Manager, Rivas was the Neighborhood Services Director and Emergency Manager Coordinator. He served as an Emergency Management Specialist for the City of Dallas and as an Emergency Management Officer for the City of Fort Worth. Rivas started his career as an Emergency Management Specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Rivas earned a bachelor’s degree in emergency administration and planning from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. Additionally, he is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program.

Rivas’s professional awards and honors include the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2020, Leadership North Texas (Class 11), membership in Pi Alpha Alpha and earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1996.

He is an active member in the community through the Mesquite Rotary Club, Mesquite Independent School District Education Foundation board, and Mesquite Chamber of Commerce board.