STRATEGIC GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Breckenridge: City Commission to Consider a Resolution to Appoint
Brad Lee Newton as City Manager (Feb. 24, 2011 citybase.net)
Breckenridge City Commission to Consider a Resolution to Appoint
Brad Lee Newton as City Manager
At their next regularly scheduled meeting March 7, 2011,the Breckenridge
City Commission will consider a Resolution to appoint Brad Lee Newton as
City Manager, to be effective on March 14, 2011.
Currently City Administrator and Executive Director of the Economic
Development Corporation of Presidio, Texas, Newton previously served as
Assistant City Manager in Fort Stockton. Prior to that he served with the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and on the staff of State Senator
Frank Madla. He also has served as one of the Commissioner's on the Pecos
River Compact Commission. Newton holds a Bachelor's degree from the
University of Texas Permian Basin, and an Associate's degree in broadcasting
from Odessa College. He is also a graduate of the Governor's Executive
Development Program at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Mayor McKay noted that Newton had a very strong combination of experience
and qualifications that are well suited for Breckenridge. "He has an
outstanding track record as a city manager and an assistant city manager."
Breckenridge Commissioners were given opportunities to visit with department
heads, elected officials, various leaders and associates from Presidio, Fort
Stockton and San Angelo. Mr. Newton was given glowing praise from all
parties contacted. McKay also noted that "In addition to an excellent
formal education, he also has a lot of hands on experience that will be
helpful to us. Brad holds a variety of technical licenses and
certifications, including Master Electrician, Class A Landfill License,
Class D Water License, and a Herbicide License, as well as a Certified
Participant in the Texas Film Commission Film Friendly program." He is also
an Eagle Scout.
The Commission was also impressed with the local ties Newton has. A ranch
near Fort Griffin has been in his family since 1859 and during his
interviews he described his excitement about "coming home".
Mayor McKay described the process to find a new City Manager as "incredibly
rigorous for both the candidates and us." A total of 49 candidates from 16
states were originally vying to replace long time City Manager Gary Ernest.
Twenty-seven of those were experienced city managers. Mayor McKay described
the field of contenders brought to the City Commission by SGR Executive
Search as extremely strong, "which made our decisions very hard every step
of the way. But having so many outstanding candidates to choose from was a
really good problem to have."
Ron Holifield, CEO of SGR Executive Search attributed the extremely strong
field of contenders to the "very positive and healthy leadership by the
Mayor and City Commission, the exceptional reputation and track record of
Gary Ernest, and the outstanding quality of life offered by Breckenridge."
