3 finalists named for city manager post

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The city of Greenville has narrowed its search for a city manager to three finalists. The last city manager, John Castile, stepped away from the job in May 2018 after eight years in the office. Nancy Whitworth, deputy city manager, has served as interim city manager since that time.

Staffing agency Find Great People recruited more than 357 targeted candidates for the position from government and private sector professionals nationwide, according to a news release. City council reviewed the top applicants whose qualifications, skills and experience would most effectively meet the needs and challenges of a growing community.

“City council is very pleased with the deep experience and talent of the city manager candidates brought to us by our Greenville-based search team,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White, in the release. “All of them bring a proven record of accomplishment and superb people skills to the position. Additionally, all of them know what it means to provide leadership to a diverse community that wants to balance its growth with quality of life.”

The city plans to have a new city manager in place by late August, the release said.

The three finalists for the city manager position:

John McDonough currently serves as city manager of Sandy Springs, Ga., where he is responsible for the oversight of the city’s 500 staff members and additional outside contractors, as well as its $463 million operating, capital and special fund budgets. Prior to that he was city manager of Beaufort. McDonough has more than 27 years of municipal government experience.

Jeff Jones, deputy city manager and COO of Mesquite, Texas, oversees 1,000 employees and a $90 million operating budget. Prior to his role with the city of Mesquite, Jones served as the assistant city manager of Hurst, Texas. Jones has 25 years of municipal government experience.

Currently serving as the assistant city manager of Gainesville, Fla., Dan Hoffman oversees 700 employees and manages $126 million of the city’s operating budget. Hoffman has a background in leading smart city initiatives and addressing complex issues such as mobility and traffic abatement. Prior to joining the leadership team in Gainesville, Hoffman served as the first chief innovation officer for Montgomery County, Md., where he managed innovation programs that included smart city initiatives and a business incubator.