GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington is in the final round of interviews for the same position in Dallas, Texas.
Washington is one of four candidates up for the vacant position. He touts his experience working for the cities of Fort Worth, Austin and Grand Rapids in his semi-finalist report.
Washington has worked as the city manager for Grand Rapids since 2018. In that time, he says, he's helped initiate downtown revitalization projects with over $2 billion in economic impact.
In his resume, he speaks on his role in city projects like restoring the rapids, massive developments like the amphitheater and soccer stadium, adding more transportation like e-bikes and scooters, creating sustainability initiatives and more.
"Being a City Manager is more than a job for me. It is a calling and an opportunity to 'pay it forward.' This is personal. I know first-hand the benefits of well-run government services as a child who; grew up in public housing, went to public schools, had a mother who spoke English as a second language and a father was a high school dropout," Washington writes.
Washington is competing for the job with William Johnson, assistance city manager of Fort Worth; Kimberly Tolbert, interim city manager of Dallas; and Zachary Williams, county manager of Dekalb County, Georgia.
"I am very fortunate to be in an executive leadership role in local government and have never forgot my humble beginnings and the impact good government has had on my life and others," he writes.
City leaders are being asked to make their final decision for the position by Monday, Nov. 25.
Washington released a statement following 13 ON YOUR SIDE breaking this story:
“As news gets out about my candidacy for the city manager position in another community, I want to be clear to you that my desire has consistently been to continue the important work we’re doing here in Grand Rapids. I’m extremely grateful to be the city manager in Grand Rapids, and excited about the future. I have the opportunity to lead an incredible workforce and partner with a diverse and talented community to keep moving this City forward in a way that benefits every resident. For six years, I have been entirely focused and committed to making Grand Rapids the best place to live, work and retire…So much so that, despite being regularly recruited, I have not entertained previous opportunities in other communities. There are times, though, in our careers where we have to consider how factors outside of our control might affect us and our families. When my contract approval was delayed for more than a month until after the November elections, as an appointed official, I began to explore options. This was not out of a desire to leave Grand Rapids, but rather out of a need to ensure a clear future for me and for my family. City Commission did authorize the mayor to execute a new employment agreement at its November 12th meeting, for which I am grateful.
“Being named as a semi-finalist is not an indication of any decision to separate employment as it is still early in the recruitment process and there are no decisions for me to make at this point. Please know that my passion and commitment to this community has not changed and I will continue to give my very best every day. We have accomplished so much and have so much more ahead of us.”
