The search to find the next Howell City Manager has entered the next phase.

28 applications were received through the Michigan Municipal League, which was hired to assist the City with the national search. Former City Manager Shea Charles tendered his resignation in May. Council earlier met with MML representatives to discuss a profile, characteristics and attributes they want to see in their next city manager. The initial application review was done in closed session to ensure the selection process was confidential and that the names of interested candidates remained anonymous, until the actual selection of applicants was made to interview. Four candidates have now been identified for interviews and a brief description of each is provided:

Michael Cramer of Wilmington, North Carolina and brings 24 years of experience in local government management including union contract negotiations and municipal budgeting. Cramer has served as the current management consultant for the Cape Fear Council of Government for the past year. Prior to that, he was the town manager of the Town of Carolina Beach in North Carolina for five years.

John Light of Woodstock, Illinois brings vast experience in the area of Finance, human resources, economic development and risk management. He has served as the director of Human Resources for Des Plaines, Illinois since February 2016. Prior to that, Light was the Stephenson County administrator for three years and has served as the director of human resources in various other communities, including Kent County in Michigan.

Heather Grace of West Branch, Michigan is a licensed attorney who has also served as the West Branch city manager for the past four and half years, where she simultaneously held the position of chief financial officer. Grace served part time as an adjunct professor of law for the Kirtland Community College Police Academy. She has also worked as research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals and as a legislative assistant for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Colleen O’Toole is the current Durand city manager and brings more than eleven years of economic development, finance, technology experience and public relations. O’Toole is a certified economic developer and previously served in various roles, including the chief operating officer of Cartofront and as an economic development specialist for the Economic Development Council of Livingston County.

Interim City Manager Erv Suida tells WHMI the 28 applicants initially identified were narrowed down to eight by MML through a process and criteria set by Council related to the type of manager they’re looking for. He says Council reviewed all of the applicants but really focused on the eight recommended by MML before selecting the final four candidates to move on to the interview stage. Those will be held beginning at 11am October 24th in council chambers in the basement of Howell City Hall. Suida says Council has decided to move forward with an open house that will serve as a “meet the candidate” event the day prior to interviews being held. The meet and greet will be held from 5:30 to 7:30pm next Wednesday, October 23rd at Cleary’s Pub in Room B. Suida says Council will host the candidates and the public is invited to stop by and meet them. He says after the interviews are complete, hopefully they’ll have a new city manager selected. (JM)