City of Marion issued the following announcement on September 21.
The City of Marion is pleased to introduce the four candidates who are interviewing to be Marion’s next city manager. Aaron Kooiker, Michel Pogge-Weaver, Albert Roder and Ryan Waller will participate in the interview process the first weekend in October.
Community members are invited to a Town Hall question and answer session on Friday, Oct. 1 from 6-7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Marion City Hall. A Zoom link will be provided on the City’s website for those who wish to watch the Town Hall event remotely. Residents are invited to submit questions for the candidates via email at hr@cityofmarion.org before the event. Due to time constraints, it may not be possible for all questions to be asked/answered.
A meet and greet reception with light refreshments will follow on the second floor at Marion City Hall from 7-8 p.m. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed.
The candidates, listed alphabetically, include:
Aaron Kooiker: Kooiker has been the city administrator for the City of Fairfield, IA since 2017. Before that, he served as city administrator for the City of Hull, IA for five years. In addition, he has experience as both a police officer and a law enforcement instructor. Kooiker obtained his bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis on criminal justice from the University of Iowa and his master’s degree in public administration from Bellevue University.
Michel (Mike) J. Pogge-Weaver: For the last five years Pogge-Weaver has served as the city manager of Carroll, IA. Prior to that, he served as county administrator in Swift County, MN. Other professional experience includes serving as city planner of Stillwater, MN and associate planner and planner I in Ankeny, IA. Pogge-Weaver holds a dual bachelor’s degree in community and regional planning and political science from Iowa State University and graduated from Hamline University with a master’s degree in public administration.
Albert (Al) W. Roder: Roder currently serves as city manager of Independence, IA, a position he’s held since 2014. His resume includes experience as county administrator, city administrator, planning consultant, and chamber and economic development executive. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Moorhead State University and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a master’s degree in public administration.
Ryan Waller: Waller is presently the city manager of the City of Indianola, IA. Before joining Indianola in 2016, Waller served as the assistant county administrator for Lake County, IL. He has also served as an assistant village administrator in Lake Bluff, IL and was an administrative assistant to the city manager for Highland Park, IL. Waller obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Iowa and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a master’s degree in public administration.
The successful candidate will follow former city manager, Lon Pluckhahn, who departed in August for an opportunity in Vancouver, WA. Pluckhahn had been with the City of Marion for 14 years.
Original source can be found here.
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