The latest shake-up at the newly christened Fort Worth City Hall isn’t just another bureaucratic shuffle — it’s a headliner moment. Dianna Giordano, a seasoned HR pro with a knack for navigating big-city challenges, is stepping into the assistant city manager role. City Manager Jay Chapa made it official on Tuesday during a City Council work session, solidifying Giordano’s move from behind-the-scenes strategist to front-and-center leader.
“We conducted an internal recruitment for this coveted position and found Dianna to have the expertise and experience needed to lead effectively as the City continues to grow,” Chapa said. “I am excited to welcome her to the City Manager’s Office and look forward to her continued work in this new role.”
Giordano has been in the trenches, shaping Fort Worth’s workforce strategy since 2021 as the director of Human Resources and Civil Service. But her story doesn’t start there — she’s logged more than 25 years fine-tuning HR policies, solving big-picture problems, at the city, county, and municipal levels, according to the city’s website. Her resume reads like a greatest hits album of public service.
She’s worked with everyone from the boots-on-the-ground city employees to the folks making the executive calls, dialing in policies around employee relations, performance management, workforce development — you name it. If it has to do with making the City of Fort Worth a smoother operation, chances are, Giordano has had a hand in it.
Now, she’s leveling up. In her new role, Giordano will take charge of Human Resources, Information Technology Solutions, Intergovernmental Relations, and CMO Administration. She officially starts on April 7, while the search for an interim HR director is still in the works.
She’s stepping into a role previously held by Richard Zavala, who bowed out on March 28 after more than 30 years of service, most notably as director of Park & Recreation. It’s the end of one era, but Fort Worth isn’t missing a beat — Giordano is ready to pick up where he left off, and then some.
“It’s been a privilege to work for the City of Fort Worth,” Giordano said. “I’ve been excited to be here since the first day I walked in. I look forward to serving in this new capacity and continuing to support the City, its residents, and employees.”
