Meet the two finalists for Topeka City Manager
TOPEKA (KSNT) – On Thursday, the City of Topeka announced it had narrowed down the applicants for city manager.
The City of Topeka has narrowed down the field of candidates to Alan Howze and Robert Perez. The search started with 42 candidates. The two finalists were selected by the City Council for follow-up interviews during a special meeting at 5:45 p.m. on Friday.
Topeka’s previous city manager, Stephen Wade, was terminated in July of last year after serving less than a year in the role. A city spokeswoman said the reason for the termination was an “inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.”
Earlier this month, 27 News asked Howze and Perez what they believe are the biggest problems facing the Capital City.
“The challenge around the increase in Topeka’s homicide rate,” Topeka City Manager finalist Alan Howze said. “So how do we find ways to have great livable neighborhoods that promote opportunity for people and a high quality of life that begins to help address some of the upstream challenges, or opportunities around reducing violence.”
“Economic development is probably the biggest challenge in Topeka,” Topeka City Manager finalist Robert Perez said. “Prioritize our funding because I think one of the challenges in government is limited recourses and so what I’d really love to see is the opportunity to maximize and prioritize our economic development efforts along with the public safety, along with the infrastructure.”
Alan Howze
Howze has more than 20 years of government experience and is currently serving as an administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. He has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Anthropology from James Madison University.
Howze has worked in government on the local, state and federal levels, and has a background in information technology and communications, according to the City of Topeka.
Robert Perez
Perez is an Assistant City Manager of Infrastructure for the City of Dallas. Perez gained over 20 years of municipal government experience while working for the City of Dallas and the City of San Antonio.
Perez holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a concentration in organizational leadership, a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a
minor in political science, according to the City of Topeka.
Perez’s background is in public works and has written articles ranging in topics from data and infrastructure relationships to innovation in local government. Perez currently provides leadership to the City of Dallas.
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