The Oakdale City Council announced Thursday, Dec. 20 that it will name Bryan Whitemyer as the city’s new city manager. The decision comes after months of a search and a series of special city council meetings to close the deal.
Whitemyer will start the position on February 4, 2013 with an annual salary of $160,500. Stan Feathers, who became the Interim City Manager on July 1, 2012, will continue to serve in that capacity until December 31, 2012. Former Waterford City Manager and current Operations Manager for Oakdale, Chuck Deschene has agreed to serve as Interim City Manager from January 1, 2013 until Mr. Whitemyer assumes the role.
Whitemyer, an Oakdale High School graduate, is the current city manager of Hughson where he has served since November, 2010. Whitemyer has served as Interim City Manager and Assistant City Manager for the City of Patterson for three years and previously worked in the Modesto City Manager’s office for three years.
“He’s the right person at the right time to be Oakdale’s permanent City Manager,” said Mayor Pat Paul in a phone call after the decision was announced. “He is a qualified and talented professional. He lives in Oakdale and will continue to move this great City forward. This is the beginning of a long and successful career in his home town of Oakdale. We are very lucky.”
Whitemyer serves on the Stanislaus Council of Governments Management and Finance Committee and is a board member for the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency.
“Oakdale is an amazing community,” stated Whitemyer in a city release. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to working with the residents and employees of the City of Oakdale.”
Councilman Farrell Jackson was also appreciative that Whitemyer was a local person selected and impressed with his qualifications.
“I’ve watched his career for quite a number of years since he was in the city manager’s office in Modesto,” said Jackson. “I noticed him really grow when he stepped into the CM role in Patterson. He’s a good guy for our city.”
City officials said the time took in the selection was to iron out details of the new contract. The details will be revealed at a later date.
Whitemyer’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Stanislaus. He is a long time resident of Oakdale and a graduate of Oakdale High School. He currently resides in Oakdale with his wife Kinda and his three young children.
For the entire story, read the Dec. 26 edition of The Leader.
