Member Updates

Delaware City Manager Tom Homan, who has served as the city’s chief executive since 1999, has announced his intention to retire in July of 2024. Homan’s retirement will end a 25-year tenure as Delaware’s longest serving city manager.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as City Manager,” Homan said. “Delaware is a wonderful community with a strong sense of place, a rich history and citizens who take pride in living and working here. I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in partnership with our City Council, residents, businesses and community partners.”

Homan has worked with four Mayors, 24 Council members and numerous department leaders. As manager, he oversees a $70 million operating budget and approximately 400 employees responsible for the delivery of all City services, including development, human resources, public works, finance, public safety, water utilities and technology.

“I am very appreciative of the City staff for their diligence and dedication in the work they do every day to maintain and improve the quality of life for our community. I am also grateful to the many City Council members I have served over the years, for their support, leadership, and commitment to our city,” he said.
Homan’s quarter-century in Delaware is marked by transformational change, including revitalization of the historic downtown, new neighborhood development, numerous economic development initiatives, modernization of water treatment and sanitary sewer plants and construction of the Delaware Community Center/YMCA.

Delaware’s population, at almost 45,000, has increased more than 80-percent since Homan arrived at City Hall in February 1999. Along with the challenges of unprecedented growth, he has seen Delaware through a global pandemic and economic downturns. His financial stewardship has allowed the city to maintain core services, fiscally sound budgets, and high bond ratings.

“Tom has helped lead our City through many complex issues over the years while maintaining exceptional City services, ensuring our citizens enjoy a high quality of life now and in the future,” Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle said.

Homan, currently Central Ohio’s longest-serving manager, also built strategic relationships with community partners and placed an emphasis on community engagement. Under his leadership, the City has received many regional and national awards for its quality of services. Delaware is a two-time Ohio Magazine Best Hometown, a Money Magazine Top 50 Best Place to Live in America and boasts a national-honored downtown recognized by the American Planning Association.

“He is a highly respected municipal leader and has built collaborative partnerships in our region that have greatly benefited our City and will leave a lasting legacy,” Riggle said. “We wish Tom the best in his well-earned retirement. He will be dearly missed.”

Homan chose to announce his retirement a year in advance to allow time for a smooth transition of leadership. He will continue to oversee the operation of the City, as directed by City Council, through July 2024. City Council later this year or early in 2024 will begin a nationwide search and selection of the city’s next manager.

Author: Wayne S. Davis, City Manager of Centerville

At the Ohio City/County Management (OCMA) Conference held in Columbus on April 5 -7, 2023, I was humbled to receive the 2023 Career Achievement Award from my colleagues in local government from across the great state of Ohio. While it is debatable as to whether I should have received the award, I can say that my family and the people I have worked for and with over the last 32 years are primarily responsible for my success. This includes not only my wife, children, grandchildren and in-laws, but also my peers, Council members, coworkers and contractors. I can safely say that I received more than I gave throughout my career.  

One of the things I reminisced about during the conference was the great talent in the profession that is up and coming across the State. This includes our own staff: Mariah Vogelgesang (Assistant City Manager), Pat Turnbull (Public Works Director), Kate Bostdorff (Communications Director), Matt Brown (Police Chief), Tyler Roark (Finance Director), Jim Brinegar (Engineer), Ryan Collins (IT Director), Jenn McCormick (HR Director), Erik Collins (Development Director), and Holly Bricker (Executive Assistant).  While some of these staff may not endeavor to pursue a career in city management, they are all very capable and qualified to do so, without a doubt. In our roles as managers, there is nothing more important than to develop and mentor staff, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing staff members grow and lead. I have been fortunate to see some of the best flourish.  

Highlighted above are the current leaders and professionals on Centerville’s staff; however, it is also critically important to highlight those leaders from across the state, particularly those who are taking on these roles early in their careers. This list includes Bryan Heck from Springfield; Jeff Weckbach from Colerain Township; Joshua Smith from Hamilton; Michael Norton-Smith from Madeira; Dan Wendt, Amber Holloway, and Kurt Althouse from Vandalia; Mike Thonnerieux, Scott Kujawa, Mike Brem and Ian Emmons from Washington Township; Dan Ralley from Hilliard; Robert Fowler from Mentor; Matt Greeson in Kettering; Kyle Kridler from Delaware; Aubrey Hale from Grandview Heights; Andrew Bowsher from Sidney; Paul Oberdorfer from Piqua; Ben Gunderson from Minerva, Charlotte Colley who is in transition; and Jackie Thiel from Upper Arlington. This is a very strong list and is obviously not comprehensive, but these people are the future of our profession. We should have complete confidence that the profession is in excellent hands. 

Succession is incumbent on those managers who are appointed to their positions. It is imperative to undertake the challenge to ensure continuity of quality leadership in their communities, yet so many do not take the time to do so. This work that we do is not about us, rather it is about the communities we serve. It is important that we have the right people (perhaps the Level Five Leaders that Jim Collins describes in Good to Great) to ensure that our profession evolves and our communities grow.  

I humbly thank you for the award, and I dedicate it to all of the people highlighted above and those who I unintentionally left out. Thank you for letting me serve alongside each of you.

Wayne S. Davis
Centerville City Manager   

Dave Krings, who served as the Hamilton County Administrator from 1991 to 2005 and the President of ICMA from 2003-2004, passed away. Dave was a Lifetime Member of OCMA and ICMA, and served as the Peoria County (IL) Administrator from 1983 to 1991.

After completing his active government service, Dave remained involved in local government circles, first serving as a Director for TechSolve from 2005-2013 and then working for Slavin Management Consultants as a Regional Director.

A funeral service will be held July 6th and more information can be found here.