The top three candidates for Springfield’s City Manager position have been announced to the public:
Greg Burris (pictured right) - Vice President for Administrative & Information Services and Chief Information Officer at Missouri State. He’s been at MSU since 1983 and has a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Processing and a Master’s in Business Administration both from Missouri State.
Kent A. Myers (pictured left)- City Manager of Hot Springs, AR and has been for the last 13 years. He’s also been a city manager in Casa Grande, AZ and Converse, Texas. Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master’s in Public Administration from Texas Christian University.
Larry Stevens (pictured left) - City Manager of Edmond, OK since 2002. Previously city manager for Pittsburg, KS and Brookfield, MO. Was once internal auditor for the Kansas City police department. Bachelor’s in criminal justice/political science and a Master’s in Public Service Administration from Central Missouri State University.
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver said in a city press release he feels the city has “developed a very strong slate of finalists and we look forward to getting to know them during their interviews in Springfield.”
And if you would like to meet these folks and pepper them with questions you have a few opportunities.
On Sunday August 3rd, there will be an open welcome reception with members of City staff and City Council from 4-6pm at the upper lobby of Mediacom Ice Park.
On Monday August 4th, there will be an Ice Cream Social open house at the Phelps Grove Park pavilion from 5:45 to 7pm. The candidates will be given brief introductions to those in attendance starting at 6:15pm.
The city expects to announce the new City Manager during the week of August 11th.
As a member of the MSU faculty, I would be sad to see Greg Burris leave the University’s employ. He has done an outstanding job for many years. On the other hand, the University’s loss would be Springfield’s gain… so good luck, Greg!