City to Interview Interim Manager Candidates, Hire Firm for National Search

Traverse City commissioners voted unanimously Monday to interview three candidates for interim city manager – none of whom are currently on city staff – and to use a professional search firm to lead a nationwide search to find the next permanent city manager.

Commissioners laid out a process at Monday’s special meeting to replace former City Manager Marty Colburn, who abruptly departed the city last week after signing a mutual separation agreement with commissioners. The details behind Colburn’s departure have not been discussed publicly, except for Mayor Richard Lewis stating Colburn did nothing “immoral, unethical, or illegal” and internal documents hinting some commissioners may have been unhappy with Colburn’s performance. Assistant City Manager Penny Hill has been named interim manager in Colburn’s absence, but told commissioners her existing duties won’t allow her to serve in that capacity for long.

Commissioners voted 6-0 Monday – with Commissioner Mi Stanley absent – to approve recommendations from Hill on finding both an interim and permanent city manager. On an interim basis, Hill provided a list of 11 potential candidates who could temporarily fill the position. The list included individuals who volunteered for the role – including Traverse City Clerk Benjamin Marentette, former Petoskey City Manager George Korthauer, and former Rochester City Manager Blaine Wing – as well as a list of candidates from the Michigan Municipal Executives (MME) with city manager experience who have indicated a willingness to serve in the northern lower Michigan region.

After reviewing candidate resumes, commissioners used ranked-choice voting to select the individuals they wanted to invite for interviews for the interim city manager position. Before voting, commissioners agreed they wanted to interview between three and five candidates total. Their rankings ultimately led them to select three candidates: George Korthauer, Nate Geinzer, and Ryan Cotton.

Geroge Korthauer most recently served as city manager in Oneonta, New York, but was previously city manager of Petoskey for 25 years. He was also the CEO of Allied EMS Systems, a non-for-profit corporation that provided pre-hospital, emergency-medical services through contracts with local governmental units. He has assisted with executive recruitment for the Michigan Municipal League and previously accepted a year-long post as part-time interim city manager in Cheboygan.

Nate Geinzer is the founder and CEO of municipal and organizational consulting services firm Double Haul Solutions. He served as city manager of Brighton from 2016 to 2022. Prior to that role, he served as management assistant and then assistant to the city manager of Farmington Hills during a nearly decade-long tenure. Geinzer also previously worked as the Downtown Development Authority manager in Berkley.

Ryan Cotton is a vice president with GovHR USA and served as city manager of Holland from 2012 to 2017. He also served as the village manager in Spring Lake from 2002 to 2012 and as city manager in Grand Haven from 1995 to 2002. He has assisted in city manager searches for Eastpointe, Albion, and Grand Rapids and also served as an interim city manager for Eastpointe in 2018. Prior to his extensive career in Michigan, Cotton served as city manager of Montpelier, Vermont.

Mayor Pro Tem Amy Shamroe noted that some candidates have existing posts or positions, but that it’s not uncommon or prohibited for such individuals to serve in a dual capacity as an interim city manager. Commissioner Linda Koebert lamented the lack of female applicants and also expressed surprise that Marentette – who has publicly shared his intent to apply for the permanent city manager role – didn’t make the cut for an interim city manager interview. “I hope that he will be part of the bigger search if that’s something he’s interested in,” she said. Commissioners tentatively agreed to interview the three interim manager candidates at an April 24 meeting – pending confirmation of candidate and board availability – and will discuss the interview process at their next meeting on April 17.

Commissioners also agreed Monday to use a request-for-proposals (RFP) process to find a professional executive search firm to assist the board in hiring a permanent city manager. Hill said staff could perform the recruitment process in-house, but that using an outside firm is “best practice for HR professionals” and also provides a “buffer” between city staff and their potential new boss. Going through an RFP and then hiring a firm to lead the search takes longer than an internal process – Hill estimated it could be four to eight months until a new city manager is hired – but said that having an interim manager in place in the meantime “should ensure a smooth transition.”

Commissioner Mitch Treadwell said he hoped to focus the city manager search on candidates from the Midwest/Great Lakes region, noting many of the challenges and programs that are unique to Michigan. However, other commissioners pointed out that candidates with Michigan backgrounds or experience could be living in other parts of the country and looking for an opportunity to return home. Commissioner Tim Werner said he wanted to keep the search process open nationally, stating there “might be a gem out there someplace.” He pointed out that a search firm will help winnow applications down using criteria established by commissioners, so that – for example – if Michigan knowledge or experience was important to the board, candidates could be prioritized using those parameters.

Hill estimated it could take at least two months to complete the RFP process, with the city needing to post the RFP, allow enough time for firms to submit bids, and then go through a review and interview process before commissioners vote to select a search firm.  

Pictured (left to right): Interim city manager candidates George Korthauer, Nate Geinzer, and Ryan Cotton