We shared with you in an earlier version of the City Manager’s Report that the City Council narrowed its City Manager search to four finalists. The City was notified this afternoon that one of the finalists has withdrawn his name from consideration, as he accepted another job where he was a finalist. There are now three finalists for the City of Bainbridge Island City Manager search.

The finalists will participate in a series of virtual interviews with City staff, community partners and advisory group representatives during the week of Dec. 14.

The finalists, selected from a pool of 66 applications, listed in alphabetical order by last name, are:

Keith Campbell, who is the City Manager of Stayton, Oregon and has served in this role since 2014. He has 14 years of local government experience. He previously served as the City Clerk for the City of Shawnee, Kansas from 2010 to 2014 and the Deputy County Clerk of Douglas County, Kansas from 2006 to 2010. Campbell holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in psychology from the University of Kansas.

Blair King, who is the City Manager of Coronado, California and has served in this role since 2010. He has 36 years of local government experience, which includes 25 years as a City Manager at cities throughout California. Blair holds a Master of Public Administration and bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fresno.

Anthony Williams, who is the Mayor of Abilene, Texas, a position he was elected to in 2017. He is the Advancement & Executive Community Relations Officer at Abilene Christian University, where he has worked for 23 years in various positions that include Chief Business Services Officer from 2010 to 2017, Director of Retail Operations from 2000 to 2010 and Bookstore Manager from 1997 to 2000. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from McMurry University.

“The City Manager search has been a robust process with significant input from the candidates and review from the Council,” Mayor Leslie Schneider said. “I’ve been impressed by the qualifications of those who have expressed interest in working here, and look forward to the selection of a new City Manager early next year.”

A recording of the open house will be available following the event at bainbridgewa.gov/1250.

The candidate selected will replace City Manager Morgan Smith whose contract expired in December 2020. The Council selected Ellen Schroer to serve as Interim City Manager until a new City Manager is hired. Schroer joined the City 10 years ago as the Director of Finance and Administrative Services. She was promoted to Deputy City Manager in 2018. 

The City Manager reports to and is appointed by the City Council, as the City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager provides policy advice, directs the daily operations of City government, handles personnel functions and is responsible for preparing the City budget. 

The City Council hired Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to lead the nationwide search. SGR specializes in public sector executive recruitment.