AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The City of Amarillo released the names of five finalists for the job of City Manager. Alan Taylor, who had held the job since 2004, announced his retirement early this year.
Mayor Debra McCartt said the finalist were selected from a field of 75 candidates from 19 different states. McCartt said, "Each of these finalists are well qualified. Our challenge now is to select the one candidate who can best help lead Amarillo towards the future." Interviews will be conducted the week of November 15th, a casual come and go reception will be held Tuesday evening, November 16 from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Amarillo Globe News Center for the Performing Arts.
A list of the finalists is posted below, the names appear in alphabetical order.
Jarrett Atkinson currently serves as interim City Manager for the City of Amarillo. Mr. Atkinson has been with the City of Amarillo since 2004, when he was hired as Assistant City Manager. In 2009, he was appointed Deputy City Manager and was then appointed interim City Manager upon the retirement of former City Manager Alan Taylor. Prior to Amarillo, Mr. Atkinson served as Local Government Services Director for the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Atkinson implemented the first ever Regional Water Plan for the Texas Panhandle. He was involved in the City of Amarillo being granted a AAA bond rating and has been heavily involved in leading Amarillo's downtown development efforts. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from Texas Tech University.
Harold Dominguez currently serves as City Manager of San Angelo, Texas. Mr. Dominguez previously served as Assistant City Manager in San Angelo, and prior to that as Assistant to the City Manager in Lubbock. In the last five years, San Angelo has completed over $58 million in capital projects, with another $100 million in capital projects in progress, while lowering the tax rate by five cents. Through restructuring of the city's health insurance program, and implementation of an innovative employee health clinic, the City saved over $550,000 in annual health care costs. Mr. Dominguez also brings extensive experience with downtown revitalization and economic development. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from Texas Tech University.
James Nichols currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is responsible for the operating departments of Building and Safety, Field Operations, Fire and Rescue, Planning and Development and Public Works. He served as a member of the City's review team that eliminated $50 million in expenditures. Prior to Las Vegas, he served as Deputy City Manager of Goodyear, Arizona, and prior to that as Director of Public Works for Surprise, Arizona, and for Chehalis, Washington. Mr. Nichols led the City of Las Vegas' development agreement negotiating team that brought a $9 billion development mixed use project to the city. While in Goodyear, it was named an All American City and a Most Livable City. He implemented the City of Goodyear's first five year capital improvement planning program. Mr. Nichols holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Connecticut.
Jim Parrish currently serves as Deputy City Manager in McKinney, Texas. He is responsible for the oversight of the departments of Strategic Services, Grants Administration, Utility Billing, City Secretary, Library, Information Technology, Budget and Finance and Human Resources. Prior to that he served as Director of Human Resources for the City of Amarillo. Mr. Parrish was part of the team that developed a successful $54 million bond program approved by McKinney voters in 2010, and worked collaboratively with his operating departments to achieve $5 million in budget cuts. He is also former President of the Texas Human Resources Association, and the Panhandle Government Finance Officer's Association. Mr. Parrish holds a Masters in Business Administration from West Texas A&M University.
David Willard currently serves as City Manager of Longview, Texas. Mr. Willard previously served as Assistant City Manager in Odessa, and City Manager in Borger. He also previously served as County Judge in Hutchinson County, and as Executive Vice President of Willard Oil and Gas in Borger. Under his leadership, Longview managed to improve their bond rating by Standard and Poor's from AA- to AA despite difficult economic times. In 2007, Longview citizens approved a $26,000.000 bond program that included a substantial downtown redevelopment plan. Mr. Willard is a Certified Public Manager and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Sul Ross State University.
A sixth finalist was selected by the Commission during their executive session on Tuesday - Mr. Terrence Moore, City Manager of Las Cruces, New Mexico. However, when notified of his selection as a finalist, Mr. Moore said that on the day before, he had been offered and accepted the City Manager position for the City of Morgantown, West Virginia.
