ABILENE - Abilene has a new city manager.
Mayor Brandon L. Rein and city commissioners have announced the appointment of Ron Marsh as Abilene’s next city manager. The appointment is effective today, with city commission approval of the city manager’s employment agreement.
Marsh will assume his new position on June 1, 2021.
Marsh’s career includes extensive management experience at the city and county level for the past 21 years. He has served for three and a half years as city administrator for Clearwater. Prior to his appointment in Clearwater, he served 17 years in Sedgwick County in public works management. His accomplishments include visioning and strategic planning, business expansion and recruitment, housing development, financial management, and multiple quality of life initiatives. Marsh volunteered extensively in his community through the Recreation Commission, two terms as a School Board member, an appointment to city commission, and numerous community groups.
Prior to entering government service, Marsh worked in the private sector. Marsh moved to Kansas in 1986 where he was stationed at Fort Riley and served as a tank platoon leader and an executive officer at the headquarters for the Big Red One. Marsh is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy with a bachelor’s degree in engineering management. He has additional graduate coursework in public administration from Wichita State University. He is a member of the International City/County Management Association.
“I am extremely excited to be named the Abilene city manager, and appreciate the city commission’s confidence in me,” Marsh said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a great staff.”
According to Marsh, Abilene has so much to offer and he and his wife and are looking forward to making Abilene their home and getting to know the community.
“Please don’t hesitate to say hi if you see us around town,” Marsh said.
According to Rein, the search process was very competitive, and it was clear that candidates found Abilene to be a great place to live. After an intensive interview process, resume screening, reference interviews, and an extensive background check, Marsh was selected as the top candidate.
“By unanimous decision, the city commission selected Ron Marsh as our new city manager,” Rein said. “Ron’s years of experience in all facets of local government make him the perfect person to lead the City of Abilene, its employees, and residents. Ron’s extensive and exemplary record beginning with West Point and throughout his admirable military service to our great country also highlights his strong leadership abilities. I am truly excited for the future of the City of Abilene with Ron at the helm and look forward to everything we can accomplish together.”
The employment agreement approved by the city commission stipulates the manager’s compensation and other terms of employment. The new manager’s base salary is $115,000.00 which is comparable to other Kansas communities.