FORT WORTH, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that A. Cynthia Leon, from San Antonio, Texas, has been named as Regional Director for the five states in HUD's Southwest Region, based in Fort Worth.

In this position, Leon is HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, Congressional delegations, stakeholders, and customers in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana. She will oversee the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities and evaluate their efficiency and effectiveness. She is one of 10 regional directors in the United States.

Leon has a long and distinguished career of public service beginning with her first job as a VISTA volunteer in Cheyenne, Wyoming. During her 29 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Leon has worked in a variety of positions in Denver, Colorado; Washington, DC; and San Antonio, Texas. She served as both Director of Indian Programs and Regional Director of Public Housing for the Denver Regional Office. In 1990, she was selected the "Outstanding Public Housing Director of the Year" for HUD.

Since 1990, Leon has been the head of the San Antonio HUD Office, representing the HUD Secretary in administering all HUD programs in 57 counties of South Texas. In 1994, she was elected Chair of the Alamo Federal Executive Board, responsible for coordinating activities of the 36 federal agencies in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

Leon has also served as Public Affairs Officer in the Naval Reserve for 25 years and recently attained the rank of Captain. In 1991, she was called to active duty to serve at the Pentagon during the Gulf War. Leon currently serves as the Commanding Officer of a Public Affairs Unit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Leon received her Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado and her BA degree from Austin College in Sherman. She also has a Certified Property Manager (CPM) degree from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

Leon is married to Hollis Rutledge, Jr., of Mission, Texas.

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