City manager finalists introduced to community with meet and greet

By Cameron Montemayor

Residents took the opportunity Tuesday to meet with the finalists vying to lead day-to-day operations as St. Joseph’s next city manager.

City officials held a public meet and greet at City Hall with the four men in the running for the job: Jason Gage, Darron Leiker, Mike Schumacher and Bob Cowell Jr.

The public discussion, part of a two-day on-site interview process with the finalists, allowed residents, stakeholders and city staff get firsthand knowledge on the candidates as deliberations prepare to intensify in the coming weeks.

“As that concludes, council will then begin the deliberation between making the decision on the top candidates, reaching the consensus and moving forward with that vote,” Interim City Manager Clint Thompson said. 

The four finalists received their formal introduction Tuesday morning with guided tours of the city, including stops along the city’s extensive parkway system, historical destinations and other residential neighborhoods.

The two-day interview process will shift on Wednesday to focus on extensive interviews between the finalists and city council members. City leaders said the goal is to have the next city manager identified around the first of the year.

“You’re looking at a February start date at the earliest … that contract would have to go to council ultimately to be approved and take two readings,” Interim City Manager Clint Thompson said. “There will be some negotiation that will obviously take place in a contract, whoever the successful candidate is, so that that could take some time.”

The four candidates bring extensive experience in city government leadership positions to the table, with all four having previously served as city managers or assistant city managers.

Cowell brings more than 30 years of experience in local government management and served as city manager in Roanoke, Virginia, from 2017 until this year. He previously was the deputy/interim city manager in Amarillo, Texas, after working in planning and development leadership positions in Texas, Indiana and Missouri.

In Roanoke, Robert placed a focus on addressing affordable housing and helped secure state investments in health care. In Amarillo, Texas, Robert was instrumental in leading redevelopment efforts in the downtown area.

“I’m really impressed with the work that’s going on in Downtown where there’s been the redevelopment of some really, really nice projects. We actually drove part of the Parkway, which is a phenomenal asset in the community,” Cowell said. “There’s obviously challenges here in the community, but it feels like there is momentum going. That was what I was hoping to find.”

Gage has more than 25 years of local government experience, including 20 as a city manager. He has been the city manager in Springfield, Missouri, since 2018, previously holding that job in Salina, Kansas, (2005-2018) Stillwater, Oklahoma (2003-2005), and De Soto, Missouri (1994-1999).

“There’s so much history in this town and the architecture. I knew it had great architecture, but I had no idea to what degree. That is a huge asset that needs to be shared from the rooftops,” Gage said. “This town, even though I know it has some challenges, has some great components from education and the jobs, the military, there’s so many pieces to it, the parks.” 

Leiker was the city manager of Wichita Falls, Texas, from 2005 to this year. He worked previously in Salina and Sterling, Kansas, before migrating to Texas. He has degrees from Washburn University and Wichita State University, both in Kansas.

During his tenure at Wichita Falls, he helped orchestrate dozens of economic development projects, bringing $200 million in capital investment and 2,000 primary jobs in the last five years.

“The revitalization efforts that have gone on and will continue to go on is exciting. And then partnerships. I think there’s a lot of partnership opportunities for some more economic development expansion,” Leiker said. “Also working with the school system to address some educational needs, I think are some opportunities.”

Schumacher has more than 34 years of experience in local government and has been the current city administrator in Lebanon, Missouri, since 2018. Before that, he was an assistant city manager in Kansas City and has a degree from Central Missouri State University. 

Schumacher has a strong background in public safety, system and process implementation, labor relations, fiscal management, as well as neighborhood and housing services.

“Across the country, residential development continues to be a challenge. So I look forward to being part of the team that looks at those conversations and figures out how we can become the preferred place for residential development and commercial development,” Schumacher said.