Healthcare non-profit recognizes city employee Rodriguez

TX Health Benefits Pool training and marketing coordinator Sunny DeCamp presents city of Uvalde human resources director Larissa Valverde Rodriguez (left) with an award during a conference held May 20-22 for obtaining a benefit coordinator certification. (Photo courtesy TX Health Benefits Pool)

TX Health Benefits Pool recently recognized City of Uvalde Human Resources Director Larissa Valverde Rodriguez for earning a benefit coordinator certification.

“The process included completing a series of detailed training modules provided by TX Health Benefits Pool, covering topics such as eligibility and enrollment, open enrollment, billing, form submission, and wellness program coordination,” Rodriguez said, adding she passed a final assessment to earn the certificate.

TXHB staff provides the eight-hour training course on managing employee eligibility through qualifying life events to ensure people receive the best value. TXHB manages benefits for over 700 groups throughout Texas.

Joe A. Cardenas, assistant manager for the city of Uvalde, serves as vice chairman of TXHB’s board of directors and represents Region 7, which includes Uvalde.

Cardenas said Rodriguez is a dedicated, cheerful employee and a hard worker. He praised her willingness to provide information and advocate for employees beyond typical business hours whenever it is needed.

Rodriguez, born and raised here, has worked with the city of Uvalde for over 15 years. TXHB recognized her certification in late May during a member forum in Brownwood.

“With this program, Larissa has increased her knowledge and ensured that Uvalde employees will have the best healthcare program for them and their budget,” said Jennifer Hoff, TXHB executive director.

About Rodriguez

Rodriguez joined the city of Uvalde on May 3, 2010, as an administrative assistant to the then-city manager Jennifer Garver, becoming city secretary in June 2012.

In March 2013, she became the human resources manager, a role she held through November 2016, before being promoted to director of human resources in December 2016.

“One of my favorite parts of the job is the one-on-one time I get with new hires during the enrollment and onboarding process. That personal interaction gives me the opportunity to make them feel welcomed, answer their questions, and set the tone for their experience with the organization. Because of this hands-on approach, I’ve had the chance to get to know nearly all 175 employees by name and department – which is something I take great pride in,” Rodriguez said.

She earned an associate of arts degree from Southwest Texas College in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree in applied science with an emphasis in organizational leadership from Sul Ross State University in 2016.

She has been married to Ernesto Rodriguez Jr. for 24 years, and the couple lived in Knippa before returning to Uvalde. She has three daughters, Alyssandra, Gabriella, and Sophia, and two grandchildren, Mireya Anali and Emiliano Reece, whom she affectionately calls her “little M&Ms.”

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