City Manager Search
Announcement
The interview of finalist Elle Cole has been rescheduled and will take place on Friday, October 17, at 7 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall. The candidate will appear for their interview virtually. The interview will be streamed via the City's channels.
A candidate feedback form has been linked below.
After more than a decade leading the City of Kalamazoo, City Manager James Ritsema has announced his retirement, effective November 18, 2025. The City Commission is leading a process to identify candidates and select Kalamazoo's next city manager. Information and updates will be posted to this page as the process moves forward.
City Commission Announces Finalists for City Manager Position
At its meeting on October 6, the City Commission voted and selected four finalists to come to Kalamazoo for an in-person interview. Click the button below to learn more about each candidate.
Learn About the Finalists for City Manager
View Candidate Application Documents
Share Feedback on Finalists
Interviews of Malcolm Hankins, Laura Lam, and Odis Jones:
Community Survey Results
Thank you to the more than 400 community members who took time to complete the City Manager Search survey. Your input will be invaluable in helping shape this process, and the City Commission is grateful for the thought and care reflected in the responses. This feedback will be carefully considered as the Commission makes this important decision for Kalamazoo’s future.
A full report of survey results is now available, along with an executive summary. These documents include both quantitative data and open-ended comments from community members. The findings are presented in the most authentic format possible, with only limited editing for clarity and to remove disparaging or offensive language. No substantive changes have been made that alter the core messages expressed by respondents. Personal details, offensive language, or direct personal attacks have been removed or anonymized.
The City Commission recognizes the diversity of perspectives shared in this process. It is important for commissioners to hear all sides as they weigh this decision, and the feedback received reflects the complexity and nuance of the challenges and opportunities ahead. While the final decision rests with the City Commission, community voices are an essential part of this process, and they deeply appreciate your participation.
Community Survey Results, Executive Summary(PDF, 313KB)
Community Survey Results, Full Report(PDF, 1MB)
Proposals & Firm Selection
A request for proposals was issued in May, and the City Commission interviewed three firms at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 16. At a Special Meeting on June 23, the Commission approved a contract with Raftelis of Cincinnati, OH. Raftelis has offices across the U.S., and its recruiters have successfully placed managers in cities large and small. Pamela Wideman will lead the search for Kalamazoo’s next city manager.
View the full Raftelis proposal(PDF, 2MB).
Timeline & Process
- Recruitment Process Kickoff (July): The process started in July with meetings with the City Commission, HR, and senior staff to create a recruitment plan, establish a timeline, and create a position profile.
- Discovery & Engagement (July & August): A national recruitment campaign will be conducted, using job boards, professional associations, and targeted outreach to attract top candidates. Applications will be screened against the position profile, and preliminary interviews will be conducted to identify semi-finalists. Community members will be invited to share their feedback in a survey, and the recruiter will convene stakeholder groups with local organizations to gather additional feedback to help the City Commission evaluate candidates and make a selection.
- Interviews (October): Finalists will be interviewed in person by the City Commission. Community members will have the opportunity to meet finalists and share feedback with the Commission before they make a final decision.
- The City Commission expects to review candidates in a Closed Session at its Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, October 6. Finalist candidates are expected to be voted on and announced during the October 6 Business Meeting.
- A Meet-and-Greet event with the finalist candidates will be held on Tuesday, October 14, at the Catalyst Center (180 E Water St) from 5-6:30 p.m.
- Candidate interviews will be held at a Special City Commission Meeting on Wednesday, October 15, starting at 4 p.m. Public feedback will be accepted during City Commission meetings and by submitting an online form that will be made available on this page closer to the interview process.
- Decision (October): The City Commission will decide to hire Kalamazoo's next city manager.
- The City Commission expects to vote to extend an employment offer to the top candidate at its regular Business Meeting on Monday, October 20.
- If negotiations are successful, the Commission anticipates voting to approve an employment agreement at a Special Meeting sometime in the week of October 27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the City of Kalamazoo conducting a search for a new City Manager?
After more than a decade leading the City of Kalamazoo, City Manager James Ritsema will retire on November 18. The City Commission is leading a process to hire a new City Manager to start before Ritsema's departure date.
What is the role of the City Manager in Kalamazoo?
The City Commission appoints a City Manager to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer for the city. The City Manager is responsible for all administrative appointments, the delivery of services to Kalamazoo residents, and the day-to-day management of the city government.
The relationship between the City Manager and City Commission is similar to that between a Chief Executive Officer and a Board of Directors.
Who is managing the recruitment process?
The City has hired Raftelis, a firm with experience in senior-level public sector executive searches, to lead a national recruitment effort. Raftelis was selected after evaluating ten firms that responded to a Request For Proposals. The subcommittee ranked the top three, in-person interviews were conducted, and community input was heard. Raftelis was selected unanimously by all seven members of the City Commission, and is working closely with the City Commission Subcommittee and administrative staff throughout the process.
What is the City Commission's role in this process?
The Kalamazoo City Commission is responsible for making the final hiring decision on the next City Manager. Following community engagement and candidate interviews, the Commission will deliberate and vote on the final selection.
A subcommittee was created to oversee the hiring process consisting of Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess, Commissioner Chris Praedel, and Commissioner Alonzo Wilson. The subcommittee is supported by City staff.
What is the timeline and key milestones for the City Manager search process?
The search process began in July and is expected to conclude with the hiring of a new City Manager in October or November. milestone information is:
- Kickoff (July): The hiring process begins with City Commission interviews, candidate profile development, and recruitment planning.
- Discovery & Engagement (July & August): A community survey will be available and stakeholder focus groups will be held to determine the desired candidate qualities and assist with evaluation later in the process
- Interviews (October): The City Commission will interview top candidates, with opportunities for community members to meet them and provide feedback.
- Decision (October or November): The City Commission will select Kalamazoo's next City Manager.
How can residents share their input on the qualities they’d like to see in the next City Manager?
This web page was created to contain information and be a resource on the search process. A community survey will be available through August 24 to gather feedback on the search process. Community members are always welcome to make public comments during City Commission meetings as well, and City Commissioners can be reached via email here.
You can click the "subscribe to this page" button below to be notified when updates are posted.
Additional inquiries may also be directed to Mike Smith, Communications Manager, at smithm@kalamazoocity.org or 269-226-6501.
Will the public have a chance to hear from and/or meet the finalists?
Yes! Once finalists are selected, the City plans to host a public opportunity for residents to meet the candidates and provide feedback to the City Commission before a final decision is made. We expect this to take place in mid-October.
How will community feedback be used in the process?
Raftelis will compile the community survey results and stakeholder meeting findings to understand everyone’s unique perspective on the desired skills and experiences the next City Manager should possess. Raftelis will consider not just the technical skills needed for the position, but also what makes the right organizational fit in terms of traits and experiences. This feedback will be incorporated into the candidate evaluation process.
How is the City ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process?
The City Commission has committed to a transparent, inclusive, and competitive nationwide process. Regular updates will be shared at each City Commission meeting, and community input is being integrated at key stages. The selection process is being facilitated by a professional search firm to ensure a fair and impartial approach. This page has been created to improve communication and transparency.
Are internal staff being considered for the position?
The City Commission has instructed Raftelis to conduct a thorough national search, which is open to both internal and external candidates. All applicants will go through the same fair and competitive evaluation process, guided by the qualifications and leadership profile.
Can I access surveys and resources in Spanish or other languages?
You can request a Spanish language copy of surveys and materials or get help in Spanish by calling 311 or (269) 337-8000. Additionally, free online tools like Google Translate can be used to instantly translate text, documents, or web pages into Spanish or other languages. The City of Kalamazoo's website can also be translated using the drop-down menu near the top of each page.