After 21 years serving as Clarkdale’s town manager, Gayle Mabery is set to retire Monday, July 1. In November, the Clarkdale Town Council hired the Novak Group to handle recruitment for Mabery’s replacement.
This week, four candidates for the top post in Clarkdale’s town government came to town in order to meet with the public and interview with the council for the position. On Wednesday, April 17, the four candidates engaged with members of the Clarkdale public for brief introductions followed by informal conversation with those who attended. On Thursday and Friday, April 18 and 19, the Clarkdale council interviewed candidates in executive session closed to the public.
The four candidates under consideration are:
- Jodie Filardo, Clarkdale’s Community and Economic Development director
- Tracie Hlavinka, deputy city manager of DeSoto, Texas
- Stephen Kil, Town Manager of St. John, Ind.
- Dawn Prince, Family and Youth Services Manager of Peoria, Ill.
A fifth candidate, Brooke Marshall from Klamath Falls, Ore., was invited to the interview stage application process and was expected to come this week, but had to drop out due to a family emergency.
Filardo highlighted her experience with the Clarkdale government as a major asset in her application. She highlighted her work to make Clarkdale more business-friendly, as well as her involvement in the Verde River @ Clarkdale project.
“My family and I love Clarkdale,” Filardo wrote in her application. “As a current leader and resident here, I have been actively involved in the Verde Valley for over 18 years and am significantly invested in terms of time, talent and resources.”
Hlavinka focused on her experience in some of the nuts and bolts of government while working in DeSoto, Texas. In her letter to the town council, she brought up her experience hiring an IT director in the town of just over 53,000 and helping it upgrade its computer systems until they won an award in that field. She also highlighted efforts to turn around the city’s finances, going from a significant deficit to a surplus.
“My work has required me to have a high attention to detail, advanced analytic skills and to practice good decision making in a fast-paced environment,” Hvalinka wrote. “I am excited to share my knowledge of employee development, customer service, project management and community growth that would sustain the positive achievements and continue further progressive outlooks for the community and organization.”
Kil’s application focused on his experience, with 26 years as a town manager in a town somewhat larger than Clarkdale. He said that he has been hoping to relocate to the southwest and felt that Clarkdale would be a good fit, a place where he could bring his already extensive history in local government to a new town.
“Being technically proficient in all aspects of municipal government is only a part of what I believe the Mayor and Town Council are looking for in their next Town Manager,” Kil wrote in his application. “To meet with success as the Manager of Clarkdale, interpersonal communication skills with an emphasis on being a great listener are a priority. These skills lead to the ability to be attentive and accommodating to not only all members of the Town Council, but the residents as well.
Prince’s application focused on her wide range of experience in her current and past positions, which she argued would make her a good fit for the town of Clarkdale.
“Throughout my professional history, I have had the unique and rewarding opportunity to lead and support a full range of services, including community and economic development, public safety, water services, street maintenance, planning, zoning, human resources and community services,” Prince wrote. “I have also managed council assistants to provide guidance on successfully meeting City Council goals and objectives. I have established respectful relationships with mayor and council members.”
The Clarkdale Town Council did not announce their impressions of the four candidates after executive session interviews Thursday and Friday. They hope to be able to provide some information about their choices in the coming week.
