City Manager Recruitment

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City Manager recruitment has been paused - there are no current feedback opportunities.

July 12 Update: Kelly DiMartino  was sworn in as the City of Fort Collins’ new city manager on Tuesday, July 12, following City Council’s approval of an employment contract.

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March 29 Update: The Fort Collins City Council announced this evening that they will pause the city manager recruitment process for three months and will not select a final candidate at this time.

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View Candidate Forum & Share Feedback

Five finalists participated in an online community forum on Monday, March 7. If you missed it live, you can watch the replay below or on the City's YouTube

July 12 Update: Kelly DiMartino  was sworn in as the City of Fort Collins’ new city manager on Tuesday, July 12, following City Council’s approval of an employment contract.

Read more


March 29 Update: The Fort Collins City Council announced this evening that they will pause the city manager recruitment process for three months and will not select a final candidate at this time.

Read more


View Candidate Forum & Share Feedback

Five finalists participated in an online community forum on Monday, March 7. If you missed it live, you can watch the replay below or on the City's YouTube channel.

Para ver el foro con su interpeación en español, haga clic aquí.

Share your thoughts: Click on the "Candidate Feedback Form" tab below to share your thoughts on the candidates and your perspective on what City Council should consider as they select the next Fort Collins city manager.



NOTA: Debido a dificultades técnicas, los primeros varios minutos de este video están en inglés con subtítulos en español. El audio de interpretación en español comienza a las14:10.


Update Feb. 16, 2022: City Council selected six finalists, listed below, to proceed in the recruitment process. They will participate in interviews and selection activities through March, including a virtual community forum the evening of March 7 and on-site interviews March 24-26.



Update Feb. 2, 2022: City Council received and reviewed 97 applications for the City Manager position. After thoughtful evaluation and discussion by Council, Mark McDaniel, the executive recruiter from SGR, has invited 19 semi-finalists to complete the next phase of candidate materials.

City Council will review these materials and discuss them Feb. 15 in an executive session, and Council action to identify finalists is planned during February. Finalists' names will be posted on this page, and additional information about the community forum open to all those interested and other next steps in the process will also be provided as it becomes available.


The City of Fort Collins is hiring its next City Manager. The City Manager serves as the chief executive of the municipal organization and reports to the elected City Council. They work with Council on community matters and lead the City's executive team to implement the City's strategic plan and manage internal operations.


What is a City Manager?

The City of Fort Collins operates within what is called a council-manager form of government. Voters elect the Mayor and City Councilmembers, who are responsible for policy decisions and for hiring and managing their three direct employees: the City Manager, City Attorney and Chief Judge. 

The City Manager functions as the chief executive. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization and for providing management and direction to City staff. The council-manager form of government creates an administrative organization that is separate from the political process and makes the City Manager accountable to City Council for operations and performance across the organization.


Selection Process

While the selection of a new City Manager will be done by the full City Council, an Ad Hoc City Manager Selection Process Committee was formed to guide recruitment and selection. The ad hoc committee includes Mayor Jeni Arndt, Councilmember Susan Gutowsky and Councilmember Shirley Peel. View ad hoc committee meeting agendas and minutes.

The position will be posted in late 2021 with finalist interviews and related public feedback opportunities targeted for late Q1/early Q2 2022.

The City has enlisted the support of SGR to lead the search.

City Manager recruitment has been paused - there are no current feedback opportunities.

  • Kelly DiMartino

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.


    Most Recent Position: Interim City Manager, City of Fort Collins, 2021-present

    Highest Degree Attained: Master of Business Administration, Colorado State University

    Employment History:

    City of Fort Collins

    • Deputy City Manager, 2019-2021
    • Sr. Assistant City Manager, 2018-2019
    • Assistant City Manager, 2011-2018
    • Communications & Public Involvement Director, 1997-2011


    Public Information Officer, City of Grand Island, Nebraska, 1993-1997

    number of comments, image icon 7 comments

  • Tobin Follenweider

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.


    Most Recent Position: Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, 2019-present


    Highest Degree Attained: Master of Arts in International Development, University of Denver

    Employment History:

    Chief Operating & Performance Officer, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, 2017-2019

    Deputy Director/Chief Financial Officer, Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners, 2004-2016

    Financial Analyst Lead, City of Aurora, Colorado, 2002-2004

    number of comments, image icon 2 comments

  • Marianna Marysheva

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.


    Most Recent Position: Assistant City Manager, City of Irvine, California, 2018-present

    Highest Degree Attained: Master of Public Policy, University of California – Berkeley

    Employment History:

    Interim City Manager, City of Irvine, 2020-2021

    Assistant City Manager, City of Riverside, California, 2015-2018

    City of Oakland, California

    • Assistant City Manager, 2008-2011
    • Budget Director, 2000-2005
    number of comments, image icon 6 comments

  • Jennifer Phillips

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.


    Most Recent Position: City Manager, City of Bothell, Washington, 2017-2021

    Highest Degree Attained: Master of Public Administration, California State University – Long Beach

    Employment History:

    City Manager, City of St. Helena, California, 2014-2017

    Assistant City Manager, City of Santa Rosa, California, 2011-2014

    Assistant City Manager, City of Santa Monica, California, 2009-2010

    number of comments, image icon 6 comments

  • Charles "Chip" Place

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.


    Most Recent Position: Managing Director of Capital Programs, Houston Parks Board, Houston, Texas, 2014-2020

    Highest Degree Attained: Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Houston Law Center

    Employment History:

    Deputy General Manager and Director of Regional Capital Facilities & Planning, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, 2004-2014

    Director of Planning & Design, Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, 2003-2004

    Land Use, Environmental & Real Estate Attorney, private practice, 1991-2003

    number of comments, image icon 2 comments

  • Jim Thompson

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    CLOSED: Jim Thompson has withdrawn his name from consideration for this position.


    Most Recent Position: City Manager, City of Scottsdale, Arizona, 2017-present

    Highest Degree Attained: Master of Business Administration, Regis University

    Employment History:

    Interim Director of Finance & Accounting, City of Tucson, 2016-2017

    City Manager, City of Casa Grande, Arizona, 2003-2016

    City Manager, City of Bothell, Washington, 1998-2003

    number of comments, image icon 1 comment

  • Recruitment Brochure

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    Cover page of City Manager recruitment brochure - shows blue sky and the top of the Linden Hotel near Old Town SquareThe City Manager recruitment brochure has been finalized and posted, and our recruitment partner is currently accepting applications from interested candidates. First review of applicants will begin Jan. 17, 2022.