Rowlett City Manager leaves for position in Missouri

by PegNews wire

He played a major part in the Bush Turnpike Extension and the DART Blue Line extension.

ROWLETT — Rowlett City Manager Craig Owens announced his departure from his position with the City of Rowlett in order to accept the position of City Manager for the City of Clayton, Missouri. His last day with Rowlett will be June 27, which will end his tenure with the city after more than five and a half years, three as City Manager.

Owens made the announcement with Mayor John Harper at City Hall. The announcement and some words of thanks from Owens were recorded on RTN16 the City’s Government Access Channel which is also available in streaming video on rowlett.com. The announcement will be available for viewing later this afternoon.

Owens expressed his appreciation to the citizens of Rowlett, staff, and the several elected officials with whom he served over the past several years. "I am proud of the work we have accomplished together over the past five years. Rowlett is a great community with an outstanding staff and dedicated elected officials."

"On behalf of myself and the City Council, I want to congratulate Craig Owens," said Mayor Harper. "Craig has done much for the City during his tenure. He leaves in place excellent planning and control systems, a fine team of managers, and a bold agenda. The City Council and Executive Team of the City will meet in the next several days and decide on a transition plan. I have invited Craig back in a few years to enjoy the Bush Turnpike Extension and the DART Blue Line Extension. Craig has played a major part in those strategic initiatives. We wish Craig and his wife Elizabeth well in their new venture."

The City of Clayton, Missouri is located in the St. Louis area. Owens served two communities in the St. Louis area for nine years before arriving in Rowlett in 2002.

"I am honored to have been selected in this national search. It took a very unique opportunity in a community like Clayton to pull me away from Rowlett. Our move back to the St. Louis area also provides some important family opportunities, but there is no question that we will miss Rowlett."

During his tenure as City Manager in Rowlett, Owens negotiated a critical tollway agreement saving the city over $20 million on the project, developed and implemented $170 million capital program, negotiated a development agreement with major retail development, and initiated a $9 million Downtown Redevelopment Project.

Internally Owens implemented major initiatives and programs in web based Citizen Relationship Management, Customer Care, Team Management, and Budgeting for Outcomes.

Mayor Harper noted that the City Council will hold a meeting on Friday, May 30 to discuss transition plans and the appointment of an interim city manager after June 27.

Source: City of Rowlett