The race for the new Ramsey County manager is heating up as four candidates, selected from a diverse pool of 54 applicants, are heading into final interviews next Tuesday. According to Ramsey County's official announcement, the contenders emerged from a thorough search spearheaded by GovHR USA/MGT that launched this past May.
On the shortlist is Anthony Alongi, the current Policy and Planning section manager at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Alongi's credentials include a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College. His previous roles include directorships at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and as a member on the Hastings City Council.
Ling Becker, another finalist, is in-house as the director of Ramsey County Workforce Solutions and doubles as the executive director of the Ramsey County Workforce Innovation Board. Becker comes equipped with a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota Morris. Her experience spans from leading Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation to managing projects for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council Transportation and Transit Development Office.
Also vying for the position is Nikki Farago, the deputy commissioner of Agency Culture and Relations at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Farago holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School and not one but two bachelors from the University of Georgia. With a track record that includes assistant commissioner and deputy assistant commissioner roles for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Farago's experience is heavily steeped in Children and Family Services Administration.
The final candidate, Jonathan Sage-Martinson, carries the title of chief executive officer for the Amplio Economic Development Corporation in addition to being president/CEO of the Amplio Lending Corporation. His academic background features a Master of Arts from the University of Minnesota School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts from the same university. Sage-Martinson's resume includes significant positions like director and executive director for Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development, as well as collaborative director for the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
These interviews, which kick off at 9:00 a.m. on July 30th, will be held at the Ramsey County Courthouse in Saint Paul and mark the final stage in replacing former county manager Ryan O’Connor. O'Connor departed in March to join the Metropolitan Council as its regional administrator. Johanna Berg, a seasoned public servant with service dating back to 2011 in various executive leadership positions, has been acting as interim county manager during the search period. The chosen candidate will be stepping into a crucial leadership role, guiding the county's policies and operations into the future.
