Joanna (Jojo) Mackenzie

Professional career

• Judge Joanna “JoJo” Mackenzie is the elected Constitutional County Judge of Hudspeth County, Texas, serving as the county’s chief elected official, director of emergency management, and a veteran in disaster response and public service

Education

Additional information

• Disaster relief: Hurricane Katrina response in New Orleans, medical operations in Haiti, and clinics in refugee camps in Mexico.
• Public service: Former Hudspeth County Emergency Management Coordinator and County Administrator.
• Corporate and financial sector: Early career in mortgage banking before shifting to emergency medicine.
• Global humanitarian work: Field staffing and clinical care in high-risk zones, including the Texas–Mexico border during the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
• overseeing public safety, rural infrastructure, regional collaboration, and long-term sustainability for the county’s 3,200 residents across 4,500 square miles.
• A Hudspeth County native, Mackenzie has over 20 years of experience in emergency medical services, disaster response, emergency management, governmental administration, corporate compliance, and public service.
• She also serves as Director of Emergency Management, coordinating disaster preparedness and response.
• Her judicial role includes presiding over county court matters, though all legal matters must be handled through the District and County Clerks or attorneys.
• She chairs the Texas Border Coalition and serves on multiple boards, including the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Rio Grande Council of Governments Executive Board, and the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence.