At the June 28 city Council meeting, the Governing Body approved Mayor Steven Ellis’ appointment of Jim Hendershot to city administrator, a position left vacant in 2017 with Jonathan Roberts’ resignation. Hendershot was selected from a pool of more than 50 applicants and nine top candidates, who were ultimately refined to four finalists. Other finalists included Darrin Tangeman, Kiel Mangus and Fred Sherman.
Eager to get to work, Hendershot already has a first project in mind, he said.
“I’d like to set up individual meetings with every staff person so that I can get to know them better,” he said. “I have a pretty good understanding of what everybody does now but I just want a little better understanding of what they do and what they feel their role is and how that ties in with the rest of staff.”
With high expectations and a high excitement level, Hendershot has goals of engaging both residents and businesses, he said.
“I want to get very involved with the business community. I want to find out how the City can help in promoting business in the city and attracting new business. We all know what we want but also what do we need? That could be either retail or industrial. I, along with the Mayor, will be meeting with business owners in an one-on-one or a group setting.
(Read more: Gardner News)