The Coconino County Board of Supervisors selected Cynthia Seelhammer – a veteran local government professional with 28 years in public service – as the County’s next manager.
The position was vacated when longtime county employee and former County Manager Steve Peru retired in November 2011. As county manager, Seelhammer will oversee a $180-million budget and more than 1,000 staff. A start date has not yet been set.
“After vetting multiple highly qualified candidates, the Board of Supervisors is pleased to welcome Cynthia Seelhammer aboard,” said Board Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Cynthia’s experience managing small and large organizations is a plus for county residents, who can be assured we picked the best manager for the County and its many programs. We look forward to working with Cynthia to advance the County for the citizens we serve.”
Seelhammer thanked the Board of Supervisors for their support and stated that she was honored to take the helm as County Manager.
“I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for putting their trust in me,” Seelhammer said. “I look forward to learning from all my new colleagues and to helping lead the organization to the next level of success. I believe that by working together cooperatively, using all of our skills and ideas, we will create excellent leadership to inspire and enable the County team members to do their absolute best for our citizens.”
Most recently, Seelhammer contracted with a management firm that placed her in interim management roles at the City of Globe from August to December 2012; the City of Maricopa from December 2011 to June 2012 and the Town of Tusayan from November 2010 to April 2011. Seelhammer served most of her time as a deputy city manager in Phoenix between 2006 and March 2010, and was manager for the Town of Queen Creek from 1994 to 2006.
Seelhammer has a master’s degree in public administration, with an emphasis on urban, state and federal governance, from Golden State University in San Francisco. She also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Mass Communications from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. Seelhammer replaces Interim County Manager Mike Townsend, who served as interim manager since November 2011. “It was a great honor and privilege to serve as the County’s top manager for these past 20 months,” he said. “With the support of our dedicated staff and our interim management team, we all worked together to ensure the County remained on the right track.”
“I congratulate Cynthia on her appointment and look forward to working with her,” he added. “The addition of Cynthia’s experience will ensure that we are able to continue building on our past accomplishments and turn challenges into opportunities for our citizens.”