Corpus Christi's emergency management coordinator is retiring. Here's who will be interim.

A Corpus Christi employee charged with leading the city through the most dire circumstances is retiring – but the team currently in place “won’t skip a beat.”

“The team is strong, the team is ready, the team is very proactive and will continue to protect the citizens of Corpus Christi,” said Billy Delgado in a ceremony recognizing his retirement earlier this week.

Temporarily serving in the role will be Jace Johnson, deputy emergency management coordinator, pending the hiring of a permanent replacement for the top position, according to city officials.

Over his 14 years as emergency management coordinator, Delgado opened the emergency management center about 105 times, said City Manager Peter Zanoni on Tuesday.

“He has provided exceptional leadership, dedication and proactivity in ensuring the safety and the care of our community,” he said.

Among the most noteworthy incidents calling for emergency response were Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Hanna, Winter Storm Uri and the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials said – work that meant operating “around the clock” as the city’s frontline organizer, as well as coordinating the efforts of various agencies.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi's longtime emergency management coordinator is retiring