Olaf Growald
For someone who spent most of his life in sports, ultimately playing quarterback for the University of Central Arkansas, Victor Turner was anything but the stereotypical jock who only dreamt of throwing touchdown passes on Sundays.
Instead, it was an internship with a metropolitan planning organization that had Turner “bitten by the public sector bug.” The experience led him to major in public administration, setting course for a career in state and local government.
The Arkansas native would spend most of his life serving his home state and City of Little Rock until 2019 when Fort Worth came calling after the untimely death of previous Neighborhood Services director Aubrey Thagard. Turner would assume the role in November. Then, four months later, the city found itself rocked by COVID-19.
“I came at a really difficult time,” Turner says. “We had to shift gears and create a program to help those individuals who’ve been impacted.”
So, Neighborhood Services launched the Emergency Household Assistance Program, which helps pay rent, utilities, and other needs of households impacted by the pandemic. Between that program and the Community Services Block Grant CARES Act, the city has granted nearly $1.3 million so far.
Beyond COVID-19, Turner’s other priority is affordable housing. According to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, homes under $150,000 went from 67% to 9.8% of the market from 2011 – 2019. Turner wants a strategic plan put in place that outlines how Fort Worth can expand its supply of affordable housing units and increase home ownership among low- to moderate-income individuals.
Outside work, the newly christened Fort Worthian is enjoying getting to know his new neighborhood. He likens working in the public sector to being a play caller on the football field.
“Just like a quarterback is getting his team in the right play and moving people around, or a coach assembling a staff and allowing them to do their job, that’s the way I look at [leadership],” he says. “I look at it as a team, just in a different environment.”
Spray Gleaves
My Neighborhood: Chisholm Trail Ranch in South Fort Worth
Why I Love It: 15 minutes from downtown
Chisholm Trail Community Center
Nearby shopping
Peaceful and quiet
Diverse, friendly neighbors
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Monitia and Victor at a Jackson State University football game.
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Celebrating the holidays at Sundance Square.
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Family tailgate at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
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At a golf event in Florida, where Golf Channel’s “The Big Break” happened to be filming.
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Victor and wife, Monitia.
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Rooting for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
