Three finalists announced in Ann Arbor city administrator search
Three finalists for Ann Arbor's city administrator position were announced today, and they all have one thing in common: They're all from outside of Ann Arbor.
The public will have a chance to meet the finalists when they come to town next week. The Ann Arbor City Council is hosting a public reception for the candidates in the Justice Center lobby at 301 E. Huron St. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Candidate public interviews by the City Council will be held earlier in the morning in three different meeting spaces at city hall.
On Wednesday, individual candidates will participate in public presentations to the City Council in the city hall council chambers from 8 a.m. to noon. Each candidate will present for 15 minutes followed by 40 minutes for interview team questions.
The presentations will be televised on Community Television Network.
Here are the bios of the candidates provided by the city:
Harry Black
Harry Black currently serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Global Commerce Solutions Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based government services firm providing program and project management support services to the public sector.
He's been at his current position since 2008.
Harry Black
He has served in several roles with the District of Columbia government from 1995 to 1999, including deputy chief procurement officer, as well as chief financial officer and director of administration with the Child and Family Services Agency.
He also previously worked with the New York State Insurance Fund as the assistant director of fiscal management and investments; the City of New York in the Mayor’s Office of Contracts as the assistant director for special projects; the New York City Transit Authority in Brooklyn as the manager of research and legislation; the International City/County Management Association in Washington, D.C. as a manager and research associate; and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as a management trainee.
Black also has served as an adjunct assistant professor at the Long Island University (Brooklyn campus) Graduate School of Business/Public Administration.
He is also the author of “Achieving Economic Development Success: Tools that work.” In 2010, Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell appointed Black to the Virginia State University Board of Visitors, where he is also a member of the board’s Resources and Governance, and Finance, Audit and Facilities Committees.
Black holds his master of public administration from the University of Virginia and his bachelor of science in public administration from Virginia State University.
Ellie Oppenheim
Ellie Oppenheim held the position as president and CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority from 2006 to 2011 where she was responsible for leading the regional destination marketing organization promoting tourism and convention business for Reno, Sparks and Incline Village/North Lake Tahoe.
Ellie Oppenheim
Previously, she was vice president and general manager for GES Exposition Services in South San Francisco from 1996 to 1999. She worked for the City of San Jose from 1987 to 1996 as both the director of convention, cultural and visitor services and as the assistant director of recreation, parks and community services.
Oppenheim also worked for Stanford University from 1977 to 1987 in various roles, including associate dean of students, director of Tresidder Memorial Union and assistant director of Tresidder Memorial Union. She also worked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1973 to 1977 as the Memorial Union operations manager and mini course director.
She now serves on the Nevada State Commission on Tourism and Destination Marketing Association International Board of Directors. She also served on the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and as a regent and faculty member for the National Recreation and Parks Association Revenue and Marketing School.
Oppenheim holds her master of business administration in management and her bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Steve Powers
Steve Powers has served as the county administrator in Marquette County, Mich., since 1996. Marquette County sits on the south shore of Lake Superior and is home to Northern Michigan University. It has been named one of America’s Most Livable Communities by the Partners for Livable Communities and All America City by the National Civic League.
Steve Powers
He also served as the management and budget analyst for Johnson County, Kansas, from 1986 to 1987.
Powers currently serves as a corporate member with the International City/County Management Association; Marquette County ambassador; and as an executive board member for the Lake Superior Community Partnership.
In previous roles, he has served as a board member for the Michigan Local Government Management Association; president of the Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers; board member with the Oregon Local Government Managers Association; board member with the Kansas University City Management Training Program; and as a United Way government division chair.
Powers holds his master of public administration from the University of Kansas and his bachelor of arts in public administration and political science from Augustana College.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
nixon41
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
Steve Powers is THE MAN
abc
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 8:01 p.m.
For those who want to know a little more about at least one candidate try this artilce: <a href="http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=36701" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=36701</a> The link and a sharp comment was provided by someone claiming to be a resident of Reno here <a href="http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/07/08/ann-arbor-city-admin-finalists-announced/" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/07/08/ann-arbor-city-admin-finalists-announced/</a>
Jill
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
With all the problems facing Ann Arbor, the ability to build bridges, facilitate teamwork and bring fueding parties together seems to be the most important trait required. Mr. Powers has held his position for 15 years which says he has held the respect of not only his board but his employees and the community. Sounds exactly like the type of leader we need.
Goober
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
Hopefully these candidates know that working with our city council will be quite trying. Based on their track record, all they care about is spending money on waste, fountains and city art. They have mismanaged the cost/revenue process, have lost sight of negotiated and awarded city employee benefits and have proven to not support true, visionary leadership for our city. Good luck to the new winner of this interview contest.
Go Blue
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:56 a.m.
15 years in his current position speaks volumes. By comparison, the other candidates job hop. And he's local. And Marquette County has been named one of America's Most Livable Communities. What more needs to be said. Yes, it is a smaller community; however, both other candidates appear to lack the actual hands on experience that Steve Powers has. Time to go local and go for longevity instead of flash in the pan. The hunt to fill a position has gotten out of hand and the search expenses are out of control. Time for this city to stop being just another stepping stone for a job candidate. We deserve better.
Nephilim
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
I especially like the slap to the faces of Michigan residents when every time a position the "elitist" section of the city employment opens up, it requires a "national" search at the expense of only the mayor and council knows how much to obtain the best and brightest candidate. Like there isn't one out of the roughly 9.9 million residents in this state. That "national" search worked so well with the nypd police chief. How about the Muncie Indiana police chief? Then low and behold they finally hire a Michigan resident and he is still here. Hmmmm go figure. Mayor, council. Keep up the great job. Go ahead and lay off another city employee to wine n dine yer out of town candidates. Money well spent.
say it plain
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
Yeah, it seems like the candidate from the West is more about tourism and conventions, while the other two candidates are more about financial management and organizing services. Let's focus on those as priorities and make a strong background in those domains be required.
Dog Guy
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:09 a.m.
We can save the out-of-town relocation expenses: let the winner buy enough job time for an Ann Arbor pension and retire before moving here. Now that we are paying mayor and council more than an honorarium, let them do the job and take the heat.
a2grateful
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:35 a.m.
Candidate two for city manager? Why? She has little ongoing city management experience, and left that field for tourism. Maybe this is exactly what mayor and council want. On the other hand, it seems she has decent experience in convention and hotel marketing. So, that explains it . . . While the mayor and council continue to micromanage the city with their hidden initiatives, agendas, and folly buckets and fountains, the new city "manager" will be spending their time marketing the Hieftje Hotel and Conference Center. Better dust off those library-lot yard signs off folks . . .
PLGreen
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
Same old process, different day... I am sure the position will command at least a 25% increase in the "pay package".
Frank
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
Unlike the rest of the comments here, I'm glad to see someone from outside the area. Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County governments both need fresh new faces and ideas. What good has come from any local staff in the last decade?
toquestion
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
It would appear that mobility has been the name of the game with the exception of the Marquette candidate. Is this a process whereby we may be faced with a new search every 3-5 years and at what cost? What are the candidates long range goals with regard to holding a position for longer than a few years. Lack of a local candidate seems puzzling. Is that a function of the search firm's process in their candidate selection? Questions that should be asked of each candidate as to why they are seeking this postion with regard to leaving their last position. What is their motivation and is that a sincere reason?
DeeDee
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
How about a little background on the search process used for those of us who don't recall all the details. Was a big search firm engaged which is paid according to salary of the selected candidate? This is the circlular process which leads to search firms finding pricey people to present, which pushes up salaries, which increases search firm profits.... A process we have seen at work in the AAPS superintendent, the new AATA administrator, etc. Or, did they have an open process with applicants from all over being internally reviewed?
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Here's some more background on Harry Black: <a href="http://www.richmondliveworkplay.com/article.asp?ID=4" rel='nofollow'>http://www.richmondliveworkplay.com/article.asp?ID=4</a>
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
Here's a news story on the budget situation Powers is facing in Marquette County: <a href="http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/561369.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/561369.html</a>
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 8 p.m.
Here's a news story documenting Oppenheim's resignation from the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority from February of this year. <a href="http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=37582&n=122" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=37582&n=122</a>
PBFH
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
We've heard this story before: none familiar with Ann Arbor-all outsiders, so they "qualified.". The Marquette candidate is at least from Michigan, but there is a huge difference in size of city between Marquette and Ann Arbor (Marquette at 21,500 or so and AA at well over 120,000).
Eep
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
He's the manager of Marquette County - not the city of Marquette. Population of the county is about 67,000.
Townie
Fri, Jul 8, 2011 : 5:20 p.m.
Nice to have one person who is from Michigan in the finals. It's sad that apparently that there are NO local candidates. I find that quite curious; did anyone local apply or did they all look at what is going in in A2 and decide that it wasn't worth the hassle? There are very capable local people so this is mystifying; especially looking at the backgrounds of these candidates.