City of Manhattan release
Members of the public can meet the four finalists for the position of Manhattan City Manager from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 22 at Flint Hills Discovery Center, 315 South 3rd Street. During this reception, the public will have an opportunity to meet each finalist in an informal setting, ask questions, and share their feedback in writing or electronically.
The finalists were selected following a nationwide search that produced a field of 50 candidates from 23 different states. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers has been serving as Interim City Manager since April 2024 following the retirement of Ron Fehr.
The four finalists have been invited to participate in the on-site interview process scheduled for July 22-23. This two-day process includes a community tour, interview/engagement sessions with the Mayor and City Commissioners, City leadership, and City staff, as well as the community reception.
Finalists:
Jacob J. Wood has more than 15 years of local government experience, including more than 10 years in senior leadership positions. He currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Salina, where he is responsible for overseeing 12 city departments and a $160 million annual budget. Prior to his current position, Mr. Wood was the Assistant City Manager for the City of Hays from 2015 through 2019 and City Administrator for Oakley from 2012 through 2015.
Jamie Miller has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last two years serving as the City Manager of Paris, Kentucky. In her current role, Ms. Miller is responsible for a $39 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 138 full-time employees. Prior to her current position, Miller held progressively responsible roles in the City of Port Orange, Florida, the third-largest city in Volusia County with a population of 65,000. She began her career with Port Orange in the Human Resources Department, and later was promoted to Financial Budget Analyst, Administrative Services Director, and Deputy City Manager.
Jason A. Gage has more than 25 years of local government experience, including 20 years as a City Manager. Mr. Gage has served since 2018 as the City Manager for the City of Springfield, Missouri, where he manages a $507 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 2,112 full-time employees. Previous senior leadership positions in local government include City Manager of Salina (2005-2018); City Manager of Stillwater, Oklahoma (2003-2005); Assistant City Manager of Salina (1999-2003); and City Manager of De Soto, Missouri (1994-1999).
Danielle Dulin has more than 10 years of local government experience, which includes her last three years serving as the City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri. In her current role, Ms. Dulin is responsible for a $45.7 million annual budget and oversees a staff of 134 full-time employees. Prior to her tenure with Warrensburg, Ms. Dulin served as Assistant to the City Manager for the cities of Lenexa, Prairie Village, and Mission Hills, after getting her start in local government as a Graduate Management Intern for Johnson County.