Ernestor started working for the City of Dodge City, Kansas in 2014 as the Assistant to the City Manager. In this role, he excelled working on legislative issues and policies. He also gave focus and coordination to expand efforts to work with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Mexican Consulate. He has worked with USCIS to bring mobile services to not only Dodge City, but other Southwest Kansas communities as well. In January 2016, Ernestor absorbed the additional role of Mobility Manager. In this role, he expanded the City’s Public Transportation program from a two-demand bus program to a transit system with 3 routes and 55 stops, while continuing to offer demand services.
On January 1, 2019, Ernestor was promoted to the role of Assistant City Manager. He oversees Public Transportation, Human Resources Department and continues to serve as the City’s Legislative Affairs Director. He works diligently with Kansas representatives on legislative affairs issues including immigration, transportation and in areas that impact Dodge City’s renewable energy project revenues. He also works closely with the City’s lobbyist and coordinates the efforts of the Southwest Kansas Coalition, which is made up of the City of Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal. Ernestor currently facilitates the Complete Count Committee for the Census 2020 efforts in Dodge City and Ford County. Additionally, he was appointed by Governor Kelly to serve on FORWARD/Long-Range Transportation Plan Advisory Group as a representative for the City of Dodge City and the Kansas Hispanic & Latino American Affairs Commission.
Ernestor was born and raised in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 13. He is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. Ernestor graduated from Wichita State University with a Master of Public Administration and a graduate certificate in non-profit management. Ernestor obtained his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University. Recently, he was recognized with the Early Career Excellence Award by the Kansas Association of City/County Management.