James Ritsema, the City Manager of Kalamazoo, has announced his plans to retire on Nov. 18 after a 34-year career in public service, with the last 12 years dedicated to Kalamazoo. Ritsema is known for steering the city through severe financial constraints and spearheading significant initiatives such as Imagine Kalamazoo and the Foundation for Excellence.

In his parting letter, dated the day before the Super Bowl, he expressed "mixed emotions" reflecting on the progress made during his tenure and confidently stated, "It has been an incredible privilege to serve this city and its people, and I look forward to seeing the great things ahead for Kalamazoo," MLive reported he looks forward to spending more quality time with family, including a 6-month-old grandson.

The search for the next city manager will begin later in the year, although details are yet to be finalized, WOODTV shared that the city officials will release more information about the hiring process at a later time. Ritsema's legacy includes elevating Kalamazoo's financial health allowing for historic investments in the community.

Mayor David Anderson praised Ritsema's impact saying, "Under Jim’s steady leadership, we’ve not only stabilized but positioned ourselves to make historic investments in housing, infrastructure, neighborhoods, local entrepreneurs, and public spaces," he further noted the transformation the city underwent wasn't a matter of chance but was born of "vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment," all testimonies to Ritsema's leadership, reported by FOX 17.