UPDATED: Lynda Humble is sole finalist to become next city manager of Rowlett

by PegNews wire

ROWLETT — The Rowlett City Council unanimously agreed to select Lynda Humble as sole finalist to become the next City Manager of Rowlett.

Lynda currently serves as Assistant City Manager of DeSoto. She was originally recruited in to DeSoto in 1995 to become Managing Director of Administrative Services. Two years later, she advanced to become Managing Director of Management Services. In 2002, Lynda was promoted to Assistant City Manager. Prior to joining the City of DeSoto, Lynda served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Cedar Hill, and as Business Development Manager for the City of Garland.

As Assistant City Manager, Lynda has direct operational oversight of Police, Fire and EMS, Emergency Management, Human Resources, Library, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, Information Technology, Environmental Health, Facility Maintenance, Citizen Action Center, Animal Control, Franchises, and Litigation. She holds an MBA from Amberton University, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from Northeast Louisiana University.

She is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, and holds the designation of Certified Public Manager from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she has been tapped as an instructor for other public managers.

In 2006, DeSoto was named one of only ten All American Cities across the nation. Previously, Texas Business Magazine named DeSoto one of their "Best Managed Cities in Texas". Lynda played an integral role in both designations.

Rowlett Mayor John Harper noted that Lynda impressed the Council with her style that could best be described as simultaneously decisive, and yet inclusive. He noted that “we knew when began this process we were looking for a unique individual who had very strong leadership skills, but who also knew how to collaborate with a group of elected officials who were very strong… someone who would be a collaborative team builder with our employees and yet provide very decisive leadership for them… someone who intimately understood economic development, but is also passionate about meeting the needs of our current citizens. We are excited that we unanimously believe that Lynda is that person.”

Executive Recruiter Ron Holifield, who brought Lynda to the Mayor and Council’s attention, described Lynda as “an exceptionally strong candidate who understands both leadership and management, and excels at both.” He noted that Lynda had risen to the top of an extraordinarily strong national field of 69 candidates from 23 states, including many well-established city managers from much larger cities than Rowlett. Holifield indicated that the exceptionally strong nationwide field of candidates is a reflection of the wonderful quality of life and incredible opportunity offered by Rowlett.

Mayor Harper said that now Lynda has been named as the sole finalist, she will be asked to meet with the Senior Staff to solicit their feedback, and additional reference checks will be conducted. Once those steps have been completed, the City Council will reconvene to evaluate that input and discuss a possible employment agreement.

UPDATE: The City Council officially gave Humble the OK on Tuesday December 9; she'll start on January 20, 2009.

Source: City of Rowlett