Brentwood is rolling out the proverbial red carpet for its next potential city manager, and the community is invited to size up the contenders. With the retirement of City Manager Kirk Bednar on Jan. 31, after over two decades of service, Brentwood has whittled down over 50 applicants to a shortlist of five. According to a recent announcement by the City of Brentwood, these finalists will be participating in a public Meet and Greet on Feb. 26 at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library Friends Gathering Room, between 5 and 6:30 p.m.
Among the top candidates is Walter Denton of O'Fallon, Illinois. After serving since 2002 as city administrator, Denton brings a seasoned perspective to the table. He also jotted down his thoughts as an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, teaching public administration. His resume also includes a stint as assistant city manager in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, according to the City of Brentwood's press release.
Jason Gage from Springfield, Missouri is also in the ring, with more than six years under his belt as city manager there. His career path is solidly paved with city management roles across the Midwest, and his accolades include the Buford M. Watson Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Management, as highlighted by the City of Brentwood's write-up.
The Keystone State sends its contender with Bradley Gotshall, Lower Paxton's Township Manager since 2018. Having cut his teeth in government from a young age, serving as a two-term elected councilor in high school, Gotshall has trodden a path through various managerial roles in Pennsylvania. This information among others is provided by the City of Brentwood.
Tennessee's own Doug Lukonen, currently holding the finance director position for Maury County, and Andrew Patton, directing human resources in La Vergne, complete the list of five. Lukonen's financial expertise is detailed for managing both county government and public schools, while Patton's blend of corporate and municipal experience, including with Amazon, broadens the field. Their career details, available in the City of Brentwood's announcement, encapsulate the diversity of experience the finalists bring to the table.
Brentwood residents keen on influencing their city's future leadership will find this face-to-face introduction with the finalists an invaluable opportunity. GPS, the search firm hired by the City Commission, looks poised to fill Bednar's large shoes with one of these five candidates, each bringing a unique mosaic of accomplishments and visions for Brentwood's charge into the future.
