Goodyear narrows city manager search to three finalists

The city of Goodyear has narrowed its nationwide search for a new city manager to three finalists after receiving 205 applications for the position, city officials said.

The recruitment process, conducted with executive recruitment firm WBCP, began earlier this year and drew applicants from across the country. Officials said more than 40 candidates were considered well-qualified or exceptionally qualified before the Goodyear City Council selected six semifinalists and ultimately three finalists.

The finalists are Kini Knudson, interim city manager of Goodyear, Bryan Langley, city manager of Kyle, Texas,  and Jacob Ellis, city manager of Corona, California.

Knudson currently serves as Goodyear’s interim city manager and previously was deputy city manager, overseeing multiple departments and development initiatives. Before joining Goodyear, he spent more than 20 years with the city of Phoenix, including as director of street transportation, where he led a department responsible for planning, construction and maintenance of the city’s nearly 5,000-mile street network.

Langley has more than 25 years of municipal leadership experience and currently leads the city of Kyle, Texas, where he oversees about 500 employees and an annual budget exceeding $600 million. He previously served as city manager of Burleson, Texas, and deputy city manager and chief operating officer for Denton, Texas.

Ellis serves as city manager of Corona, California, overseeing roughly 950 employees and more than $700 million in financial commitments, including the city’s operating budget and capital improvement program. He previously served as deputy town manager for Gilbert, Arizona.

Wendi Brown, president and CEO of WBCP, said the recruitment process showed strong interest in the position and in leading a growing Arizona community.

“Throughout the recruitment process, we consistently heard from candidates that Arizona — and particularly Goodyear — is an exciting place to lead right now,” Brown said in a statement.

City officials said the recruitment process included community surveys and input from a stakeholder committee to help identify desired leadership qualities for the next city manager.

The Goodyear City Council is expected to conduct final interviews later this month and could make a final selection after that round of interviews. 

Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information.