What were you most excited about when you moved to work in Hamilton?
Knowing I could play a role in turning Hamilton’s vast potential into reality. Hamilton had amazing bones. The downtown, iconic Courthouse, historic districts, distinctive architecture, and river were particular assets I noticed on my first visit to Hamilton.
What has been your proudest moment so far as city manager?
Playing a role in placing key people in areas of influence that have drastically improved our community. In particular, Steve Timmer running the Hamilton Parks Conservancy has been a grand slam for our residents. Having Adam Helms turn the RiversEdge Concert into a premier Cincinnati-area event has put us on the regional music map and brought positive attention to our downtown.
If you had to spend a day with one famous person, who would you choose?
Russell P. Price, Hamilton’s first and longest tenured City Manager. I’d love to hear his perspective on a number of local issues, especially when he first became City Manager in January 1928.
What do you see as some obstacles in the next few years that can be turned into opportunities for Hamilton?
Our large legacy buildings that are no longer being used are a great opportunity. Ohio Casualty, Beckett Paper, Champion Paper. These are massive buildings that are a big part of our history. Reactivating these building and infusing them with new life and activity will be a gamechanger for our community.
What is one of your most prized possessions?
My Joe Nuxhall rookie baseball card.
If you golf, what is your favorite Golf Course: Potters or TwinRun?
Potter’s. Because my 60 degree lob wedge is my best club.
If you had to name just two or three goals for the coming year in Hamilton’s city government, which ones would you focus on?
Making Spooky Nook a reality, finding a consistent revenue stream to improve our roads, and work more closely with 17Strong to better our neighborhoods. In my mind, these three goals will move the needle more than anything.
Are there plans for any new private investment in development outside of downtown? What is the rationale for the building and development of downtown and the urban core in the past few years?
City Council’s number one priority was job creation when I arrived. We focused on strategic areas where jobs could be created: Downtown, Enterprise Park, and University Commerce Park. Downtown had the most infrastructure and empty buildings, so naturally that was a priority. Hamilton Enterprise Park, on the east side of Hamilton, has seen a significant amount of job creation and investment the past 5 years. Once South Hamilton Crossing opens, I am confident you will see more development at University Commerce Park. It is also important to note that Barclaycard, located in our Second Ward at Vora Technology Park, is the largest job announcement in the state of Ohio in the past decade with 1,500 promised jobs. We have seen significant interest in many other areas of the city and I expect that to continue.
What is your favorite historic building in Hamilton, personally?
The Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument.
What is one thing about being city manager that people might not know?
The breadth of issues that I must handle, delegate or discuss. I may be negotiating a $50 million economic development deal on my mobile phone as I am driving to a neighborhood to address a trash issue with a concerned citizen.
What is your favorite park in Hamilton’s park system?
Veteran’s Park. I love the Bark Park and historic Colligan Lodge. Specifically, I love the view of downtown Hamilton from the Colligan Lodge patio.
What has surprised you most about the people of Hamilton, Ohio in the years you’ve been city manager?
The tremendous love and support they show for the community. Hamiltonians have a passion that is unrivaled in any other area of the country that I have lived. Our recent success is predicated on a collective desire to move Hamilton forward.