Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fort Worth City Council Selects Dale Fisseler New City Manager

By Pegasus News wire

FORT WORTH — Following a lengthy interview process, the Fort Worth City Council selected Dale Fisseler as Fort Worth’s 22nd city manager on Thursday. Fisseler will step into the position at a date to be determined.

Fisseler, Fort Worth assistant city manager responsible for economic and community development, was selected from a final list of four candidates. Other finalists were Jelynne Burley, San Antonio deputy city manager; David Leininger, Irving managing director; and Joe Paniagua, Fort Worth assistant city manager responsible for public safety, public health and public events.

Fisseler was appointed Fort Worth assistant city manager in 2004. He joined the City of Fort Worth in 1990 as a water production superintendent after nine years of service with Dallas Water Utilities. He was named director of the City of Fort Worth’s Water Department in 1999.

The father of two adult children, he has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

“It is a great honor to be selected Fort Worth’s next city manager from a pool of such outstanding candidates,” Fisseler said. “I am certain the final selection was a tough call for our mayor and City Council, and I appreciate the time and effort they put into making their decision.

“We’re entering a phase of great change for Fort Worth, with the retirement of City Manager Charles Boswell, Assistant City Manager Libby Watson and Police Chief Ralph Mendoza,” he said. “I admire these people as well as the other 6,000-plus employees who work hard every day to make our quality of life second to none. And, I appreciate a community where residents partner with city leaders and elected officials to get things done.

“There will be challenges ahead — just as there are for any municipality experiencing the type of unprecedented growth we’re seeing here — but I am grateful to live in a city where anything is possible through the commitment of the entire community.”

Mayor Mike Moncrief said each of the final four candidates was extremely strong and impressive, making the final selection even more difficult. He added that the nine members of the City Council worked hard to select a powerful leader whom they believe realizes Fort Worth’s true potential during a time of great change.

“Obviously, Mr. Fisseler is familiar with our city’s history, challenges and opportunities. We are very pleased that the best person for the job was already a member of our Fort Worth family.”

City Manager Charles Boswell announced his retirement in May after celebrating 30 years with the City of Fort Worth.

“Charles has been a special leader with an inspiring resiliency. He will be sorely missed, and his departure certainly leaves some big boots to fill,” Moncrief said. “On behalf of the Fort Worth City Council and the residents we serve, I thank Charles for his commitment and service to this city. Fort Worth is a better place because of Charles Boswell.”

Boswell said Fisseler will make an excellent city manager and is proud that he had the privilege to appoint him an assistant city manager three years ago.

“Mr. Fisseler is extremely creative, and his personal skills are outstanding,” Boswell said. “As a long-time director of the Fort Worth Water Department, he has a great understanding of the infrastructure challenges we now face, and he’s quickly grasped our economic development issues. I personally credit him with the turnaround of Fort Worth’s development processes, with the combining of our Planning and Development departments.

“He’s a man of great compassion, with a special interest for those citizens historically underserved,” Boswell said. “I am confident that, upon my retirement, the City of Fort Worth will be in very good hands.”

Source: City of Fort Worth

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