Mark Becker'€™s imminent departure leaves important vacancy

Mayor Tom Henry announced he'€™s asked his Transition Team to reconvene to assess and screen candidates for the position of deputy mayor. Henry recently accepted the resignation of Deputy Mayor Mark Becker, effective May 31, 2008.

To fill this important position, Henry is looking to the same group who helped him assemble his senior management team when he took office Jan. 1, 2008. The advisory group, chaired by Ben Eisbart, Executive Vice President - Administration of OmniSource Corp., is comprised of:

'€¢    Dick Merren, chair of the United Auto Workers'€™ (UAW) Region 3, Area 4 Community Action Programs'€™ Council and Chair of the UAW Region 3 Retirees'€™ Council;
'€¢    Ken Neumeister, President and CEO of Liberty Construction;
'€¢    Rae Pearson, Ph.D, President and CEO of Alpha Rae Personnel, Inc., and a State Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Administration;
'€¢    Chuck Surack, Founder and President of Sweetwater Sound;
'€¢    Bob Taylor, President and CEO of Do it Best Corp.;
'€¢    Andrew Thomas, Vice President of Sales with Ridge NAPA Auto Parts and owner of 816 Pint & Slice, and board president of Young Leaders Northeast Indiana (YLNI);
'€¢    Irene Walters, longtime community volunteer.

Mayor Henry acknowledged that the role of Deputy Mayor can be a challenging one.

“I have charged the Transition Team with finding someone who knows our community, understands our opportunities and has a familiarity with the way government works,” Henry said. “I know that'€™s a tall order, but I have faith that the Transition Team will provide me with qualified candidates. I have also told them that while I would be delighted if candidates were presented immediately, they should not sacrifice quality for speed. This position is just too important.”

The job description is available through the City'€™s Human Resources Department and can be found online at www.cityoffortwayne.org and clicking on the link to the mayor'€™s office. The direct link to the job description is at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/index.php/content/view/1588/1631/.

Applicants can mail their resume and cover letter expressing why they are the right candidate to the City'€™s Human Resources Department, One Main St., Room 380, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, and mark it to the attention of Deputy Mayor.

Becker will be joining the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership as Director of Regional Development and Executive Director of the Northeast Indiana Foundation where he will focus on supporting regional economic development throughout northeast Indiana.