Richardson City Manager Bill Keffler well versed in the ABCs of city government

by Minnie Payne

RICHARDSON — Richardson City Manager Bill Keffler knows the city inside-out: He's dedicated his entire career to working there, starting as an administrative assistant in 1977.

Those 30 years of service and first-hand experience at all levels give him rare insight into how Richardson works and what it needs. When he came on-board at ground level for the City of Richardson in 1977, he was exposed to any and all aspects of local government and was pretty much expected to do whatever was asked of him.

“I rode behind sanitation trucks on every route we had in the City and counted plastic garbage bags being collected for two months,” he said. “This really helped a young whipper snapper just out of grad school appreciate the work ethic of our staff and true nature of the work required of our field operations.

“I think the evolution of one’s professional career through entry level roles can be a very important humbling part of one’s self-worth.”

Keffler, 54, who's been city manager since 1995, started working for the city immediately after earning his master’s degree in public administration from Texas Tech University in 1977.

"I graduated from Texas Tech May 14 and started to work for the City of Richardson May 17," he said. "I was 30 minutes late for work the first day, because I had no idea what rush hour was like."

Born in Brownfield, he grew up in Midland where he attended private Catholic grammar and middle school; he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Midland in 1971. "I was president of my junior and senior classes in high school," he said.

He graduated from the University Of Notre Dame in 1975, earning a bachelor’s degree in government.

"A combination of student loans, which were easier to obtain then, my working, and my family’s help got me through school," Keffler said. "I worked several different jobs, but the main one was as a disc jockey for a radio station."

Keffler worked his way up the ropes: In 1979 he was named Assistant to the City Manager. He earned the position of Assistant City Manager in 1981, and was named Deputy City Manager in 1985, serving in that position until the retirement of former City Manager Bob Hughey in 1995.

Keffler said that the operating budget for the City of Richardson is $137 million.

"We have a capital budget of projects that we are managing right now with approximately $80 million worth of capital projects that are in some level of development," he said.

He said that presently the biggest project in Richardson is reinvention which involves redeveloping retail, residential and commercial property. Also, the transit system which involves four rail stations, with a living, working, playing theme is presently underway.

Keffler, father of five children, said that he and his wife have a strong network with schools and organizations through their children.

"Probably one of the highlights of my career has been not only with the relationship with city managers and assistants, but also the individuals who run our institutions," he said. "The collegial nature of a pretty tight-knit community lends itself to a lot of people and action."

One of the neat things about his job is that he has always been close to home which allows him to be involved in his children's school activities. He and his wife Chrissie have been married 24 years, and have five children, Abby, 22, Joey, 20, Sam, 18, Ellie, 16 and Will, 14.

"With the exception of Monday night council meetings, I have been pretty much free to devote my time to my family," he said. "I have coached over 80 sports teams over the last 18 years."

Keffler said that he was blessed with a dad who served as a wonderful role model.

"He [dad] worked 30 years for Philips 66 as a geophysicist, and I was always struck by his solid work ethic and his unwavering loyalty to his employer and working associates," he said. "I can’t imagine a greater compliment than for someone to say that I patterned myself after my dad."

Deputy City Manager Dan Johnson works closely with Keffler.

"Bill is probably one of the most dedicated professionals I’ve ever had the privilege to work with," he said. "He’s well regarded in our city management and is an outstanding leader and professional."

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