Sturns saw the value of public service early in life. He is the son of Vernell Sturns, former Fort Worth city manager and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport executive director. “I grew up with municipal government,” he says of his father. “I just never really thought of it as a career path.”

Education

Eastern Hills High School, 1985

BA in Radio/TV, Stephen F. Austin, 1990

MBA, TCU, 1997

“I wanted to be able to effect some change in my city.”
Robert Sturns

Military service

1990-2001

Captain, U.S. Army Reserve

Early career

1990-96: General Manager, Fort Worth Town Center Mall

During his six-plus years in commercial real estate, Sturns realized his passion for serving the community. In that role, he helped revitalize a rundown shopping center, which is now called La Gran Plaza. “I wanted to be able to effect some change in my city.”

Public service

2000-07: Business Development Coordinator,
City of Fort Worth

2010-13: Economic Development Manager,
City of Fort Worth

2016-present: Economic Development Director,
City of Fort Worth

During Sturns’ time with the city, downtown Fort Worth/Sundance Square has continued to develop into a top dining-and-entertainment draw. Working with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, he’s also helped with the emergence of West 7th Street, Magnolia Avenue, Panther Island and the Trinity River trails. In 2015, he was instrumental in luring Facebook to build data centers at a 110-acre site in the AllianceTexas area of North Fort Worth.

Life Lesson:

“I’m not one for sitting behind a desk waiting for stuff to happen. I like to be out in the community, meeting with residents. I want to know what they want and need.”