By Erin Coulehan
Editorial photography by Annabella Mireles
When Renard Johnson stepped into the role of Mayor of El Paso, he brought with him more than a track record of success in business and philanthropy: he brought a quiet confidence rooted in humility, service, and vision. Known for his calm demeanor and deep ties to the community, Johnson is infusing new energy into the city he’s always called home.
“I want to make sure that I can always remain calm for the city,” Johnson says. “You’ve got to have that calm voice when chaos is breaking out.”
Born in Chicago but raised in Northeast El Paso, Johnson is a proud graduate of Andress High School and the University of Texas at El Paso. “This city shaped me,” he says. “It gave me every opportunity, and now I want to make sure I do everything I can to give back.”
Before politics, Johnson made his mark in business. He founded METI Inc., a systems engineering and IT firm, and later launched a tequila brand, El Perro Grande. His business success, combined with his philanthropic efforts – including his family-led scholarships at UTEP, El Paso Community College, and the University of New Mexico – made him a respected figure long before voters knew his name.
“We never did it for attention,” he says of his family’s giving. “We did it because that’s how we were raised. You take care of your community, you give what you can, and you stay humble.”
Johnson served on several local boards, including the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank Board, bringing high-level financial insight to his new role. But he still sees himself first and foremost as a father and son. “When I go to my parents’ house, I’m not the mayor,” he says proudly. “I’m just their son. And when I’m with my girls, I’m just dad.”
His daughters, Nevaeh and Aviva, were a key part of his decision to run. “I asked them first. My oldest was on board right away. My youngest said, ‘Let me think about it.’ Two weeks later, she gave me her blessing.”
Family, faith, and service remain at the center of Johnson’s world. Though he commands a packed schedule, he has developed rituals to stay grounded: quiet morning reflection, evening baths, and visits to his childhood home. “This job can be overwhelming, but you have to take care of yourself to take care of others,” he says.
That grounding in family, paired with a commitment to humility and balance, has shaped Johnson’s leadership. He still spends time unwinding at his parents’ home, where he can “just be their son.” He decompresses. He prays. He listens.
“I’ll tell you this: If the history books ever say I failed as a mayor, I can live with that. But if they say I failed as a father…that I couldn’t live with.”
While Johnson may be humble, his plans for El Paso are anything but small. He sees the city – and the region, including Juárez and Las Cruces – as poised for transformation. “We are at a pivotal moment where our stars are aligning,” he says. “The future is bright.”
If you’re from El Paso, you already know this place is different in the best possible way. We’re a city shaped by the border, by resilience, and by pride in where we come from. We speak Spanglish, we know what real enchiladas taste like, and we show up for each other, whether it’s a Friday night football game or a citywide food drive.
About 82 percent of El Pasoans identify as Latino or Hispanic, and our heritage isn’t just visible: it’s alive in our music, our street art, our family gatherings, and even the way we greet each other. Most of us are bilingual or at least understand the rhythm of life that comes from straddling two countries. With a median age in the early 30s, we’re a young, hardworking city with big dreams and deep roots.
But for all the things we love about El Paso – our sunsets, our safety, our slower pace – many of us have also felt what it’s like to be overlooked. We’ve seen talent leave for bigger cities, and we’ve watched national conversations pass us by.
Johnson sees that too, and believes it’s time for El Paso to stop being everyone’s best-kept secret. “We’re not trying to be someone else,” he says. “We’re trying to be the best version of us. We already have the culture, the location, the people. We just need to lean in.”
Johnson envisions an El Paso that doesn’t just hold onto its identity, but also uses it as the engine for growth: a destination for businesses, a launching pad for young professionals, and a city that finally gets the recognition it deserves – not only from outsiders, but also from within.
He talks about El Paso as a place where young people can build careers, where families want to settle, and where tourists can experience something uniquely Southwestern. “I see bridesmaids’ parties coming here. I see people coming to hike, to bike, to eat. I see people exploring Juárez, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, using El Paso as their anchor,” he says.
That kind of regional thinking is central to Johnson’s leadership. He’s not just looking inward; he’s also thinking across borders, industries, and generations.
Since taking office, Johnson has wasted no time getting to work. His first six months have been marked by a hands-on, quietly confident approach, emphasizing collaboration, economic development, and a renewed focus on the everyday needs of El Pasoans.
From day one, Johnson has prioritized listening. He’s met with small business owners, educators, students, and city employees – not for the photo ops, but to understand what’s working and what’s not. His calm, deliberate leadership style has helped bring a steadying energy to City Hall during a time of change.
One of his early wins? Helping secure new investment commitments from national logistics and technology firms, while also supporting programs that uplift local entrepreneurs. Johnson has pushed to modernize city operations and streamline permits and services that impact the people and businesses who call El Paso home.
He’s also leaned into regional cooperation, fostering stronger ties with leadership in Las Cruces and Ciudad Juárez. His vision of a connected Borderplex isn’t just talk: it’s shaping up through infrastructure and workforce conversations that span state lines and international boundaries.
But perhaps most noticeable to locals is Johnson’s accessibility. He’s often seen attending community events not as a politician, but as a neighbor. Whether it’s supporting local high school games, checking in on neighborhood revitalization projects, or quietly contributing to civic causes, his presence is making an impression.
Still, he remains clear-eyed: “This is just the beginning,” he says. “There’s so much more work to do, and we’re going to do it together.”
From enhancing workforce development to welcoming new industries, Johnson is focused on building infrastructure, supporting education, and creating a climate that encourages both investment and inclusion. “We’ve got something special here. We’re already a good city, but we’re on a path to greatness.”
He’s taking care of others in big ways. Johnson has pledged to donate his entire $95,000 mayoral salary to local charities, like the El Paso Community Foundation’s Borderland Rescue Fund. “I’m not in this for money. I’m here to help the city I love.”
He also brings a bold, optimistic vision for El Paso’s future. He sees the city becoming a tourism hub for the Southwest, connecting visitors to White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Las Cruces, Juárez, and El Paso’s own natural and cultural treasures. He wants to attract industries like tech, aerospace, and medical sectors to boost local wages and retain talent.
“El Paso is already a good city,” he says. “But we’re on a path to greatness. The stars are aligning.”
What sets Johnson apart in today’s political climate is what he doesn’t bring to the table: no ego, no performative politics, and no personal agenda. He dresses in jeans and t-shirts when he’s at home. He sings in the shower. He jokes that he only dances “in his mind.”
“I’m going to get out of this experience what I want to get out of it,” he says. “I’m going to have fun. I’m not going to let anyone else define what this is for me.”
It’s an attitude that feels refreshingly grounded – and deeply El Pasoan.
When asked how he’d like to be remembered as a mayor, Johnson doesn’t hesitate: “If people say I was honest, trustworthy, and hardworking…that would mean everything.”
