Glendale has a new Deputy City Manager, and his name is Thomas Adkins. With years stretching into decades worth of experience under his belt, Adkins has been involved at nearly every level of public policy — from local to federal. He's stepping into his new role, and from what it sounds like, he's set to shake things up in the realms of crisis communications, community relations, and legislative advocacy.
According to an announcement from the city, Adkins will be the overseer of the Intergovernmental Programs and Communications departments. His scope of work includes, but is not limited to, strategies for internal and external communications, media relations, video production, and graphic design. As the man now holding the reins to these departments, Adkins is charged with the drive to ensure the city's programs align with and adequately attend the needs of Glendale's community and City Council's objectives.
The current City Manager, Kevin Phelps, seems to have quite the confidence in Adkin's capacity to excel. In a statement obtained by the city's news division, Phelps said, "Thomas brings tremendous experience that will be key in strengthening partnerships and establishing priorities at every level, which will help us advance the city’s goals and serve residents more effectively." Phelps' endorsement continued, "He will be a great asset to the city, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to the leadership team."
Before stepping into this position, Adkins has held a variety of roles, most notably managing crisis communications and community relations during the financial recovery of the University of Arizona while with the Arizona Board of Regents. Moreover, as the Intergovernmental Affairs Director for the city of Peoria, he has a track record of securing funding for infrastructure projects and defending city operations against potentially damaging legislation. "I’m grateful for the trust that Kevin has placed in me and look forward to serving the citizens of Glendale alongside the leadership team," Adkins told the city's news wing. "Glendale is a city on the move and I’m ready to hit the ground running."
Adkins' first official day is slotted for August 25, and his education credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University – no doubt, a solid foundation for the work that lies ahead in the fast-paced environment that is municipal management. With a resume as thick with experience and a city buoyed by optimism, it'll be interesting to observe how Glendale evolves under the guidance of its new Deputy City Manager, Thomas Adkins.
