Meet the Candidates: Public meets with Lock Haven City manager hopefuls in council chambers
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Jon Kirksey, right, one of three candidates for Lock Haven City manager is pictured speaking to a resident during a meet and greet on Tuesday evening.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Brandon Carter, left, one of three candidates for Lock Haven City manager is pictured speaking to residents during a meet and greet on Monday evening.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Jon Kirksey, right, one of three candidates for Lock Haven City manager is pictured speaking to a resident during a meet and greet on Tuesday evening.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Brandon Carter, left, one of three candidates for Lock Haven City manager is pictured speaking to residents during a meet and greet on Monday evening.
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LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City residents, taxpayers and business owners had the opportunity to meet three candidates for the vacant city manager position -- the highest level administrative role in its government.
City officials hosted two of three candidates this week on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
The day included a tour of city hall and the municipality; interviews with the hiring committee -- made up of Mayor Joel Long and council members Tami Brannan and Micah Clausen; a meeting with city staff; an interview with all of the city council and a public meet and greet in council chambers.
Dozens of community stakeholders and residents turned out each night to meet the candidates, ask questions and get to know them.
A third candidate, due to unforeseen circumstances, had to pull out from their meeting on Thursday night. According to city officials, council is evaluating whether it will be able to hold another meet and greet at a later date.
The Express has compiled information about two candidates, Brandon Carter and Jon Kirksey, who met with the public earlier this week:
BRANDON CARTER
Brandon Carter met with officials and the public on Monday.
Carter resides in Sumter, S.C., and most recently served as executive director of finance for Lake City, S.C., and, unofficially, as its interim city administrator for a time.
Prior to this role he was an accounting specialist for HireQuest Incorporated from October 2021 to January 2023; an office manager for Harris Ventures DBA Staff Zone from July 2020 to October 2021 and an administrative specialist for the United States Marine Corp. from July 2012 to February 2016.
Carter holds a master of business administration with a concentration in business administration from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and is a Certified Public Funds Investment Manager.
Carter told The Express what drew him to the position was the closeness of the community, noting it reminded him of his position in Lake City.
"It's the local feeling. At my first interview I heard this and I was excited. I'm all about small communities and being able to help with growth," he said. That growth, he explained, is on all fronts, from economic to infrastructure and other aspects.
Carter's first visit to the city on Monday reaffirmed his impression of Lock Haven.
"It exceeded my expectations," Carter said. "I love that everyone here wants to grow and improve and do it as a community. Everyone is on the same page with that forward focus."
With his financial background and experience working within a local government structure similar to Lock Haven's, Carter said he is hopeful his expertise can be an asset to the city.
"I'm a servant leader that believes in building a better and brighter future," he said.
JON KIRKSEY
Jonathan "Jon" Kirksey has more than 12 years of experience in management, public works, environmental health and safety and civil construction.
His work has seen him take on a variety of roles including CEO of Ranch House Co.; Director of Public Works for the City of False Pass, Alaska; Bay City, Mich., and Beloite, Wis., and others.
He holds a bachelor or science degree in economics/finance with a minor in business management from Texas Southern University, Houston.
Kirksey told The Express he prefers smaller towns versus areas with larger populations, leading to his decision to apply for the city manager position.
"I'm a people person. I prefer people over pennies," he said.
After spending multiple days in Lock Haven, Kirksey said his first impression of the city is a positive one.
"It's lived up to my expectations. There are outstanding people here," he said. "You can live anywhere in the entire country but the people are truly what make it worthwhile."
If chosen for the position, Kirksey said one of his first goals as city manager would be to get to know the culture of Lock Haven.
"I want to add to the existing greatness here, not change it or reduce it," he said.
Council does not have a definitive timeline on when it will decide who may be hired for the position though its next meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.