Following a nationwide search, the City of Tigard hired Brent Stockwell as its new manager.
Stockwell, who comes to the job following a decade as the Scottsdale, Arizona assistant city manager, was unanimously approved by the City Council with a $225,000 annual salary during an April 23 meeting in which his hiring was the sole agenda item.
The several-month recruitment and application process to find a successor for former city manager Steve Rymer included an all-staff town hall and a panel interview with the community, leadership team, and City Council.
“We got a bunch of good perspectives and council heard all of those, taking into consideration all of the feedback we got, and was pleased to recommend the appointment of Brent Stockwell,” said city attorney Shelby Rihala.
As city manager, Stockwell will oversee day-to-day operations and work with City Council to implement community initiatives and Council priorities.
“I’m honored by the trust that you are placing in me,” Stockwell told Councilors. “I’m really excited to serve the people of Tigard with you. I focus on collaborating with communities, building strong relationships, responding to needs, and getting results. I’m excited to move forward and build on the excellent work that’s already been done.”
In his 23-year career with the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., Stockwell additionally worked as an assistant to the mayor and city council, served as a liaison in the Citizen and Neighborhood Resources Department, and did an interim stint as city auditor.
“We had many really great candidates and (we’re) excited that Brent has agreed to join our team,” said Mayor Heidi Lueb.
Tigard Council members echoed Lueb’s enthusiasm before voting to make it official.
“You were very impressive, I thought, throughout the entire process,” Councilor Jake Schlack told Stockwell. “I think you’re going to bring a lot of knowledge, experience, and new perspectives to the team and help us take Tigard to the next level.”
Councilor Jeanette Shaw cited Stockwell’s “expertise in economic development, ensuring that our city puts a plan in place that moves forward with growing our jobs (and) also prosperity for our community members.”
While Councilor Yi-Kang Hu praised Stockwell’s “previous commitment to being present and engaged with his community,” he added “leadership is about building trust and listening and being visible to the people we serve.”
Stockwell has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington and completed the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program.
Before beginning his two-plus decade run with the city of Scottsdale, he worked for the state of Arizona, the cities of Mesa, Ariz. and Federal Way, Wash., and as a youth director with an Arizona non-profit.
He starts as city manager on June 1.
