(MANHATTAN, Kan. – July 11, 2024) — Members of the public will have the opportunity to meet the four finalists for the position of Manhattan City Manager from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 22 at Flint Hills Discovery Center, 315 South 3rd Street.

During this reception, the public will have an opportunity to meet each finalist in an informal setting, ask questions, and share their feedback in writing or electronically.

The finalists were selected recently following a nationwide search that produced a field of 50 candidates from 23 different states. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers has been serving as Interim City Manager since April 2024 following the retirement of Ron Fehr.

The four finalists have been invited to participate in the on-site interview process scheduled for July 22-23. This two-day process includes a community tour, interview/engagement sessions with the Mayor and City Commissioners, City leadership, and City staff, as well as the community reception.

Finalists

Jacob J. Wood has more than 15 years of local government experience, including more than 10 years in senior leadership positions. He currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Salina, where he is responsible for overseeing 12 city departments and a $160 million annual budget. Prior to his current position, Mr. Wood was the Assistant City Manager for the City of Hays from 2015 through 2019 and City Administrator for Oakley from 2012 through 2015. Achievements in his service to Kansas communities include leading the process of attaining over $28 million in federal grants and streamlining Salina’s financial management practices, budget process, and purchasing policies, resulting in an increased general fund balance from less than $10 million in 2019 to more than $20 million in 2023. Mr. Wood has been a member of the United States Army Reserve for more than 20 years, holding various leadership positions. His educational background includes a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Social Science with an emphasis in Public Service from Kansas State University. He also has attended several Executive Education Programs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and was awarded an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership in 2018. Mr. Wood is a credentialed City Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Jamie Miller has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last two years serving as the City Manager of Paris, Kentucky. In her current role, Ms. Miller is responsible for a $39 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 138 full-time employees. Prior to her current position, Ms. Miller held progressively responsible roles in the City of Port Orange, Florida, the third-largest city in Volusia County with a population of 65,000. She began her career with Port Orange in the Human Resources Department, and later was promoted to Financial Budget Analyst, Administrative Services Director, and Deputy City Manager. Recent achievements while serving the residents of Paris include the city’s being awarded $3.5 million in grants on a $4.6 million solid waste transfer site relocation project, development of the organization’s first Capital Improvement Plan, and increasing the city’s interest income by more than 700% through responsible investment strategies. Ms. Miller’s educational background includes a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stetson University. She is also LEAN Six Sigma certified (Yellow Belt).

Jason A. Gage has more than 25 years of local government experience, including 20 years as a City Manager. Mr. Gage has served since 2018 as the City Manager for the City of Springfield, Missouri, where he manages a $507 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 2,112 full-time employees. Previous senior leadership positions in local government include City Manager of Salina (2005-2018); City Manager of Stillwater, Oklahoma (2003-2005); Assistant City Manager of Salina (1999-2003); and City Manager of De Soto, Missouri (1994-1999). While serving as Salina’s City Manager, Mr. Gage led the organization through the Great Recession by introducing LEAN continuous process improvement as a tool to streamline operations and gain efficiencies while maintaining a sound fiscal position without layoffs or furloughs. In addition, during his tenure with the City of Springfield, he partnered with the county, business community, health systems, and media to ensure a unified message while protecting staff and providing continuity of services throughout the pandemic. Mr. Gage’s educational background includes a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Missouri Southern State College. Mr. Gage is a credentialed City Manager through ICMA.

Danielle Dulin has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last three years serving as the City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri. In her current role, Ms. Dulin is responsible for a $45.7 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 134 full-time employees. Prior to her tenure with Warrensburg, Ms. Dulin served as Assistant to the City Manager for the cities of Lenexa, Prairie Village, and Mission Hills, after getting her start in local government as a Graduate Management Intern for Johnson County. Recent achievements while serving the residents of Warrensburg include the development and execution of three educational campaigns for a 1/2-cent capital improvement sales tax renewal that passed with 65% voter approval, a $23 million revenue bond issuance for a wastewater treatment plant expansion (77% approval), and a $17 million general obligation bond issuance for street and road repairs (78% approval). Ms. Dulin also spearheaded “Rethink Maguire,” a corridor transformation project to upgrade the busiest arterial in Warrensburg. Her educational background includes a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Kansas State University. Ms. Dulin currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Missouri City/County Managers Association.