Executive Profile:
“Patience, understanding, sympathy, and strong character are crucial to being an effective local government manager.”
Community Basics
Number of full time employees:
25
Annual Budget:
$5 million
Years in Current Position:
2.5
Professional Path
Years in the Profession:
13
College Attended and Degree Program:
Oakland University/MPA
What path lead you to your current position?
A lucky chance interview with someone that saw potential.
What do you enjoy most about being a manager?
Helping people.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome it?
Not being able to make everyone happy: I had to accept that many of the things I am involved in and decisions I make impact a wide variety of people and there is no simple way to deal with complicated issues.
What are some of the most important skills it takes to be a manager?
Patience, understanding, sympathy, and strong character.
What project has been most meaningful in your career to date?
Adaptive Reuse of Building – Involved from beginning to end and provided input and oversight
Career Advice
Best tip for entering the profession:
Get involved and attend meetings to gain a better understanding of how things work.
Best tip for succeeding in the profession:
Never lie: it will catch up to you.
How do you establish the best relationship with your elected officials?
Be straightforward – I’ve let them know that we may not always see eye to eye on issues, however I will listen and be respectful.