Devon Rodriguez is the Director of Department of Redevelopment. She is responsible for leading the City’s community development, redevelopment and reinvestment strategy to ensure the remaining property in the City is developed with the highest and best use in mind, acknowledging that as the community is built out, the taxable values put in place will have to sustain the City into the future. Devon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California at Davis and has worked as an Economic Developer in California and Texas for over 15 years.

As the Assistant Director of the Department of Redevelopment, Jessica is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing community development projects from conception to completion related to long-term development opportunities, commercial redevelopment, and public/private partnerships from an economic development perspective. Jessica aid’s in the City’s community and economic development efforts by leveraging established relationships with private sector partners for the advancement of future opportunity sites with an emphasis on the City’s Regional Activity Centers. Additionally, Jessica manages the City’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones and Imperial Redevelopment District. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Sam Houston State University.

Ruth Lohmer, AICP, is Planning Manager in the Department of Redevelopment. In this role, she leads Sugar Land’s long-range policy and planning efforts, including oversight of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, updates to City master plans, demographic tracking and analysis, neighborhood planning, and updates to development policies and codes. In her nearly 20-year urban planning career, Ruth has managed both development and long-range planning. Ruth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Urban Planning from Texas A&M University, and has been designated a certified planner by the American Planning Association since 2007.

Kareen Heshmat, AICP, CNU-A, is a Senior Planner in the Department of Redevelopment. In this role, he supports Sugar Land’s long-range policy and planning efforts to find solutions for our community’s biggest challenges. He loves striving towards walkable neighborhoods, climate resilience, and equitable civic engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Morehouse College in Atlanta and a Masters in Urban Planning & Environmental Policy from Texas Southern University. He has been designated a Congress of New Urbanism Accredited Professional since 2022, a certified planner by the American Planning Association since 2021and a LEED Accredited Professional since 2017. Outside of work, Kareem is a member of various Sugar Land organizations: Exchange Club, Citizen’s Police Academy, and Citizen’s Fire Academy.

As Community Development Program Strategist, Jon is responsible for designing and implementing community development related programs focused on achieving the City's redevelopment and reinvestment goals. Jon holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Public Service & Administration from Texas A&M University.

Emily Pollard serves as Communications Manager for the Department of Redevelopment. Emily crafts and implements strategic communication plans that engage Sugar Land residents and stakeholders of redevelopment initiatives and opportunities. In addition to a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Sam Houston State University, Emily brings over six years of expertise in journalism, public relations, and economic development marketing to the City of Sugar Land.

As Community Development Coordinator, Ana is responsible for supporting the Assistant Director of the Department of Redevelopment in projects related to long-term development, redevelopment and reinvestment, and public and private partnerships. Additionally, Ana assists in the City’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, Imperial Redevelopment District and Asset Management program for City-owned destination venues. Ana holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management with a Concentration in International Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio.