When speaking on the decision to select Olivares over the other two candidates, District V Council Member Roque Vela, Jr., gave the following statement:  “Mr. Olivares, being entrenched already in what is going on in Laredo, and the fact that these are good economic times, that we want to take advantage of right now and him understanding what’s going on in our community, and us wanting to hit the ground running is really what made the difference in our decision.”

 Olivares once served as the City Manager for the City of Eagle Pass, after once working as the Director of the Parks Department for the City of Eagle Pass, Laredo and Austin.

 As Eagle Pass City Manager, Olivares was instrumental in implementing the first phase of a $23 million CIP bond package, including investing $10 million in two and a half years, for streets, parks, drainage/watershed protection, and a convention center, land, and other buildings. 

  While serving as the director for the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, Olivares oversaw many community initiatives that added 16,000 park acreage; revitalized neglected park space in the community; added almost $24 million in money, resources  and volunteerism; and helped develop a conservancy program to protect local bird and inspect species, as well as adding or enhancing 10 major parks, a youth center, recreation centers, swimming pools and a water feature throughout the city of Austin.  

  As director for the City of Laredo Department of Parks & Recreation, he was responsible for planning and administering programs and all operational functions of the parks, recreation centers, cemetery, Mercado, Laredo Public Library, Civic Center, Telecommunications Center, and Center for Non-Profit Management.