UPDATE: Thank you to those of you who provided feedback on our city manager search over the past few weeks via the community survey and/or the Dec. 8 Virtual Meet and Greet. Resident feedback was reviewed by the City Commission and taken into consideration during this process. While an offer has been made, the candidate has not officially accepted the position. Stay tuned for more information — we hope to have a new city manager in place early in the new year.
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The City of East Grand Rapids’ search for its next city manager is underway. The search is being facilitated by the Michigan Municipal League following meetings with the Mayor and City Commissioners to outline the skills and experience sought in our next executive. You can find position details and criteria in the Michigan Municipal League's brochure.
Timeline & Events
Virtual Candidate Meet & Greet — Was held Tuesday, December 8. Each candidate introduced themselves and answered questions from the residents.
Video of December 8 virtual meet and greet: https://youtu.be/WNTO3BM9Bu0
Comment Card / Candidate Feedback Survey: https://www.eastgr.org/FormCenter/MayorCity-Manager-11/City-Manager-Search-Candidate-Comment-Ca-112
(please complete by 4 pm on Thursday, December 10)
Dec. 10-11 — City Commission holds interviews with candidates and potentially votes on next city manager.
Thursday, Dec. 10
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Google Meet link*: https://meet.google.com/yjo-hxmt-gxt
Number: 720-500-3517
PIN: 950 339 679#
Friday, Dec. 11 — Morning interviews
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Google Meet link*: https://meet.google.com/jtf-dthx-ajs
Number: 917-819-2459
PIN: 805 519 569#
Friday, Dec. 11 — Afternoon meeting/discussion
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Google Meet link*: https://meet.google.com/kjw-pvao-ksv
Number: 413-752-4359
PIN: 150 247 644#
*Participants must use the newest version of Google Chrome or the Google Meet app on a mobile device to participate in the meetings.
Candidates
Adolfo Bailon
Town Manager, City of Randolph, VT
Bailon has been with the Town of Randolph since 2017 serving as town manager, director of human resources, deputy zoning administrator and emergency management coordinator. He previously served as the mayor's center for city services director for the City of Providence and as a senior field representative for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Resume
Shea Charles
Interim CEO, Michigan Municipal Services Authority
Charles has served as interim CEO for the Michigan Municipal Services Authority since 2019. He previously served the City of Howell for 15 years as city manager. Prior to that, Charles worked in various management and administrative positions for the cities of Hart, Lapeer, Birmingham, Ann Arbor and Livonia. He is currently a member of the International City/County Management Association. Resume
Jon DeYoung
Assistant City Manager, City of Gallup, NM
DeYoung has served as assistant city manager since 2016, however, he has been with the City of Gallup since 2013, previously serving as risk manager, followed by risk and emergency manager and then assistant to the city manager. Prior to that, DeYoung worked at Dynamic Integration as its administration and human resources director. He has additional background in sales and administration. DeYoung currently serves on several boards including the Business Improvement District and Leadership New Mexico. Resume
Jeffrey Durbin
Town Manager, Town of Fraser, CO
Durbin has been with the Town of Fraser since 2000, serving as its town manager over the last 16 years after being promoted from community development director. Prior to that, he served the City of Plainfield, Illinois as community development director. Durbin additional has Michigan ties — he worked for the state's Historic Preservation Office for two years while earning his master's degree from Michigan State University. Resume
Jonathan Seyferth
City Manager, City of Coopersville
With 15+ years of public sector experience, Seyferth has served the City of Coopersville since 2015 — first as its assistant city manager and planning director then, as city manager. Prior to that, he served as business development manager followed by executive director of Muskegon Area First. Seyferth has additionally served as a district representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association, Engagement Local Government Leaders, Michigan Municipal Executives and West Michigan Municipal Executives. Resume
Benjamin Swayze
Township Manager, Cascade Charter Township
Swayze has served as Cascade's township manager since 2013. Prior to that, he served the City of Milan, located on the east side of Michigan, as parks & recreation director, followed by public works co-director and most recently, city administrator. Swazye has 18 years of municipal experience and currently involved with the International City and County Management Association, Michigan Local Government Management Association and West Michigan Municipal Executives. Resume
Provide Feedback
Residents and community members are invited to complete a survey on the trails they are looking for in a city manager before the interviews to share their thoughts on what they want to see in the next city manager. The survey is open until 11:59 p.m. Dec. 6.
An online comment card also will be provided to those who attend the virtual meet and greet to give input on each candidate.
Since former City Manager Brian Donovan’s retirement in early 2019, Doug LaFave has served as interim city manager in addition to his role as public works director. A special thank you to Doug for taking on this immense responsibility and ensuring the City has run smoothly over the past nearly two years. His leadership, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, has been beyond exceptional and helpful for both City staff and the EGR community as a whole.