Mark McDaniel

In 2021, Mark began his second career when he joined the team at SGR as a way to give back to communities for his rewarding public service experiences and pay it forward for the local government professionals who manage them. He previously enjoyed a 35-year career in city management, serving seven different communities ranging in population size from 8k to 1.3m – including 22 years as a city manager, deputy city manager, or assistant city manager.

Mark primarily works with clients and candidates as a busy Executive Recruiter given his extensive state and national networks after serving previously as the president of the Texas City Manager’s Association (TCMA) and Executive Vice President for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). In addition, SGR also affords Mark opportunities to enjoy facilitating city council retreats, providing executive coaching, and working with clients to identify and implement innovation and best practices for systems and processes.

Strongly supporting the future of the city management profession is important to Mark, ergo his volunteer service as a Senior Advisor for TCMA and ICMA to provide mentoring and advice for members regarding work, career, and other matters. Mark is very keen on maintaining a pipeline for new talent coming into public service, and currently serves as chair of the Master of Public Administration alumni advisory board for his alma mater. He holds Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of North Texas, and is a graduate of the Harvard University Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program.

Mark and his wife Cindy have recently relocated back to the Dallas/Fort Worth area to build their retirement home, and they place a high priority on being much closer to grandkids and extended family. When Mark is not busy connecting with family, friends, colleagues, and clients, you can find him outdoors and recharging by creating and tending to four acres of multiple new gardens and an orchard.