Community Invited to Help Shape the Selection of Next City Manager

With City Manager James Ritsema set to retire on November 18, 2025, the City of Kalamazoo has launched a national search to identify the community’s next top administrator and is inviting residents to help shape the process. 

As part of this effort, the Kalamazoo City Commission is inviting community members to complete a brief survey to help define the qualities, values, and priorities they would like to see in the next city manager. The survey is available online at www.kalamazoocity.org/CityManagerSearch, along with a timeline of the search process, updates, frequently asked questions, and other resources.  

Paper copies of the survey can be found at City Offices and will also be available at upcoming community events, including National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5.

The survey will be open through August 24.  

The Kalamazoo City Commission is committed to conducting a transparent, community-informed selection process. In June, the Commission selected Raftelis, a national executive recruitment firm, to lead the search. Pamela Wideman, Senior Manager with Raftelis, will oversee the recruitment. 

"We want this search to reflect the values of Kalamazoo,” explained Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess, who also serves on the City Commission Subcommittee working with the recruiter. “Transparency and public engagement are at the core of this process, and the community’s voice will help us identify a leader who understands and represents those values." 

The recruitment plan has been designed to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders throughout the process. This includes interviews with City Commissioners, senior-level City staff, and other community leaders to help define the ideal candidate profile. As the process moves forward, community members will also have opportunities to meet the top candidates prior to the City Commission’s final hiring decision. 

All materials, updates, and opportunities for community involvement are available at www.kalamazoocity.org/CityManagerSearch. The City Commission will also continue to provide updates at each City Commission meeting.  

"As elected officials, it’s our responsibility to listen. The more people who participate, the more informed and representative our decision will be."