John Kross, town manager of Queen Creek, Arizona, and James V. Thompson, former city manager of Casa Grande, Arizona, are additional candidates who will be considered for Scottsdale city manager.
They will be interviewed by City Council members and meet the city’s executive team Dec. 7 and 8. The City Council will host a special public meeting Dec. 8 during which each candidate will make a brief presentation and answer questions from the council.
Once interviews are complete, they will be among five final candidates the City Council will consider for the job. The council previously interviewed Konrad Hildebrandt, Gary M. Luebbers and Jeffery M. Nichols.
The council may extend a job offer to their top choice at the Dec. 8 meeting.
The five finalists are:
Konrad Hildebrandt, Assistant City Manager, City of Odessa, Texas
Konrad Hildebrandt has been assistant city manager for the city of Odessa since March 2014. He oversees administrative services including budget and finance, purchasing and procurement, risk management and employee health & wellness. He previously spent 10 years as city manager of the city of Cedar Hills, Utah, and has 27 years of experience in local government with four different cities. Mr. Hildebrandt has a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in public administration from Brigham Young University. (Mr. Hildebrandt was interviewed Nov. 10.)
John Kross, Town Manager, Town of Queen Creek, Arizona
John Kross has been town manager for the town of Queen Creek since June 2006. He oversees the town’s 240 employees, its $184 million budget and its daily operations. He previously served as Queen Creek’s assistant town manager and community development director. He has 27 years of experience in local government with six different cities. Mr. Kross has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Ripon College, a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University and is a credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association. (Mr. Kross will be interviewed Dec. 8.)
Gary M. Luebbers, previous City Manager, City of Sunnyvale, California
Gary M. Luebbers was city manager for the city of Sunnyvale from 2008 to 2013 where he oversaw the city’s 1,000 employees, $300 million budget and its daily operations. He previously spent eight years as city manager for the city of West Jordan, Utah, and has more than 20 years of experience as a city manager in three cities. Mr. Luebbers has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Culver-Stockton College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. (Mr. Luebbers was interviewed Nov. 10.)
Jeffery M. Nichols, City Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, City of Scottsdale, Arizona
Jeff Nichols was appointed Scottsdale city treasurer in October 2013, where he oversees the accounting, budget, business services, finance and risk management departments. His previous positions include vice president and chief financial officer of the Scottsdale Cultural Council, accounting director for city of Scottsdale, and deputy director/controller for the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department. Mr. Nichols has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Central Michigan University, and he is a certified public accountant. (Mr. Nichols was interviewed Nov. 10.)
John V. Thompson, previous City Manager, City of Casa Grande, Arizona
John V. Thompson was city manager in the city of Casa Grande from 2003 to 2016 where he oversaw city operations and a $175 million budget. He has 20 years’ experience as a city manager, previously holding that position in Bothell, Washington, and Bullhead City, Arizona. He has also served on the Arizona State Personnel Board since 2004 and as an adjunct professor in Arizona State University’s Department of Public Affairs since 2011. Mr. Thompson has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University. (Mr. Thompson will be interviewed Dec. 8.)
Scottsdale’s city manager position has been vacant since June 2015. Scottsdale Water Director Brian K. Biesemeyer has been serving as acting city manager since then, but is not a candidate for the position fulltime.
