Roman Aguilar Jr.

Chief Service Officer of Department of Neighborhoods Volunteer Initiatives Program, City of Houston

Roman Aguilar has served the City of Houston since 2008, launching his public service career as a counselor with the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office, where he worked directly with at-risk youth and supported community programs focused on prevention, intervention, and empowerment. 

Since August 2022, Roman has led the Volunteer Initiatives Program as Chief Service Officer, directing Houston Serves — a citywide initiative that partners with volunteer coordinators across departments to expand civic engagement and create inclusive volunteer opportunities. He designs and implements strategies that strengthen community partnerships, increase volunteer capacity, and align volunteer resources with neighborhood needs. Roman also leads the City’s volunteer response during disaster recovery, coordinating municipal staff and community organizations to deliver timely relief, recovery services, and long-term support to affected residents.  

Through strategic outreach and relationship-building, Roman has grown programmatic reach, improved volunteer coordination, and enhanced the City’s ability to serve residents with compassion and meaningful civic action. He brings practical experience in youth-focused prevention work, large-scale volunteer mobilization, and cross-sector partnership development to conversations about resilient, community-centered approaches to service and recovery.