From Refugee to Garland Resident
Jimmy was born in Vietnam in 1974, during a time of conflict and change. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, his father — an officer in the South Vietnamese Army — was imprisoned in a political camp for more than seven years.
In 1994, Jimmy and his family arrived in the United States as refugees with very little, settling in Dallas, Texas. At just 20 years old, he worked full-time assembling electronics for minimum wage to help his family while learning English and attending night classes.
Through perseverance and faith, he graduated from North Dallas High School, attended North Lake College, and later earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business from Texas A&M University–Commerce.
In 2002, Jimmy and his wife moved to Garland — the city they have proudly called home for over 22 years — raising three children: Justin (18), Jennifer (17), and Jason (16), all students of Garland ISD.
💼 Professional Career
Jimmy has worked at JCPenney/Catalyst Brands for more than 24 years, where he currently serves as a Senior Software Engineer. Known for his reliability and collaborative approach, Jimmy leads technical teams across the U.S. and India to deliver major company-wide projects that improve systems and operations.
He often says:
“I may not be a big talker, but I’m a doer — I focus on teamwork, accountability, and results.”
That same mindset guides his approach to leadership and public service.
ABOUT JIMMY TRAN FOR GARLAND
Local Roots. Real Results. Stronger Garland.
🤝 Community Leadership and Service
Jimmy believes the best way to serve is by showing up, listening, and getting involved. For more than a decade, he has volunteered thousands of hours building programs, events, and partnerships that bring people together and strengthen Garland's sense of community.
He is the Founder and Immediate Past President of VN United, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the Asian American community through sports, culture, leadership development, and volunteer service. Under his leadership, VN United created major regional programs and events that continue to grow each year.
These include:
• The DFW Asian American Soccer Tournament, now a large multi-state event
• The First Responders Tournament, supporting selected charities of police, firefighters, and medical teams
• The DFW Charity Golf Tournament, supporting disaster relief and community causes
• Played a key role in organizing community events such as the DFW Food and Music Festival, Children Fall Festival, Lunar New Year Celebration, and Asian American Heritage Festival
• Charity efforts that supported the Garland Police Never Walk Alone Foundation, Good Samaritans of Garland, and Carter BloodCare
• Community service programs including voter registration and election drives, COVID-19 vaccination drives, and youth volunteer projects
Jimmy’s civic involvement also includes serving in multiple Garland boards and commissions:
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Board Member, Garland ISD Education Foundation (June 2024 - Present)
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Commissioner, Garland Community Multicultural Commission (February 2024 - Present)
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Member, Garland Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (June 2024 - Present)
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Member, Garland Police Training Academy Advisory Committee (November 2023 - Present)
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Member, Garland Community Leader Group (August 2022 - Present)
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Member, Diocesan Multicultural Advisory Committee (February 2024 - Present)
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Member, Leadership Garland Class 45 (June 2025 - Present)
Through these roles, Jimmy has worked closely with residents, faith organizations, schools, business owners, city staff, and first responders to strengthen connection and cooperation throughout Garland.
🏙️ Why Jimmy Is Running
Jimmy is running for Garland City Council – District 1 (May 2026 Election) because he believes City Hall should be accessible, transparent, and focused on serving all Garland residents.
He is not a career politician. He is a community builder who leads by example, works hard, and values follow through. His focus is simple: help build a safer, stronger, and more united Garland where families, businesses, and neighborhoods can grow and succeed.
Jimmy often shares this message:
“Leadership is about lifting others up. I am running to serve, not to be served. I want every family in Garland to feel heard and to feel like they belong.”
🧩Core Values
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Integrity – Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
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Respect – Listen to every voice and treat everyone with dignity.
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Service – Put the community first.
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Unity – Bring people together across cultures and neighborhoods.
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Action – Less talk and more work that leads to real results.
In His Own Words
Jimmy often says:
“I may not speak the loudest, but I’ll always show up, work hard, and get the job done for all of Garland.”