In what appears to be a strategic move for the City of Lawrence, Mayor Deb Whitfield has officially announced the appointment of Greg Goodnight as the city's new Chief of Staff, a decision that has garnered attention from community members and local political analysts alike. Goodnight, well-known for his tenure as Kokomo's mayor from 2008 to 2019 and his service on the Kokomo Common Council from 2001 to 2007, is not just another ex-mayor taking on a comfortable city job; he is a seasoned veteran with a robust resume filled with local government expertise.
Since hanging up his mayoral hat, Goodnight hasn't strayed far from the political sphere, taking his talents to advising various local governments throughout Indiana, and alongside this, he presided over the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns from 2016 to 2017, where his work wasn't merely administrative — it was alchemical, transforming the way mayors and municipal leaders around the state confronted their charge. "We are thrilled to welcome Greg to the City of Lawrence. His extensive experience in local government, his leadership as a former mayor, and his knowledge of municipal operations will be invaluable as we continue to move Lawrence forward. I look forward to working closely with Greg as we tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Mayor Whitfield told the City of Lawrence's news outlet in an expression filled with optimism and anticipation for Goodnight's incoming tenure.
Goodnight, on the handling side of the baton pass, is ready to run with it, expressing in an interview with the City of Lawrence, "I’ve had the opportunity to talk with several mayors across Indiana, and that made me even more excited to take on this new opportunity. It’s an honor to help Mayor Whitfield carry out her vision for the City of Lawrence" — a sentiment that mirrors the city's larger goals of progress and community betterment.
