Roswell Names City Administrator Finalist

ROSWELL, GA -- After months of searching and conducting interviews, Roswell leaders have announced the sole finalist for its city administrator position. Gary Palmer, the assistant town manager in Farragut, Tennessee, is the candidate who hopes to succeed Kay Love.

The City Council will take up Palmer's appointment at a special called meeting on Oct. 10. The city received 83 applications for the position, said city spokesperson Julie Brechbill. Palmer has 25 years of local government experience, serving as an assistant town manager, interim town manager, community development director, planner, GIS analyst and police officer.

He also served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1992, and active reserves from 1994 to 2000 (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

Palmer obtained his bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology and master's degree in public administration from the Unviersity of Toledo. He holds a certification as a senior executive in State and Local Government from Harvard University, and certification as senior executive from the University of Virginia.

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Love left the city of Roswell in May to work with the Georgia Municipal Association. Love served as Roswell's city administrator since February 2007. Assistant City Administrator Michael Fischer has been serving in the interim since Love's departure.

Mayor Jere Wood said the city has gone through a thorough process in its search for a new city administrator and has found an excellent leader to oversee the city’s day-to-day operations.

“Gary Palmer will bring a lot of experience and enthusiasm to the job,” Wood said. “There is going to be a transition period for the city next year with a new mayor and new council members, and I believe he is up for that challenge.”

Palmer said he is honored and excited to be the finalist for Roswell’s city administrator position.

“An opportunity like this does not come along too often," Palmer added. "I’m looking forward to working with a team of highly professional department directors and staff and a Mayor and Council who are dedicated to maintaining the health of the organization and the community they serve.”

As Roswell’s city administrator, Palmer will serve as its chief operating officer, managing a $146 million budget, more than 30 departments, divisions and offices and 600 full-time employees. He will oversee the day-to-day operations of the city, and implement policies established by elected officials to provide services to the citizens in the most effective, efficient and economical manner.

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