The East Ridge Council has selected William Whitson as the top candidate for the new city manager.
At a special meeting on Monday, the council voted to invite him and his wife back to East Ridge for another meeting next week to discuss several issues concerning the future direction and revitalization of the city as well as to discuss negotiating a possible contract as the new city manager.
The vote by the council was unanimous.
Mr. Whitson is from Cairo, Ga. He currently serves as a budget director in Panama City, Fla. He is an International City Management Association (ICMA) credentialed manager with 15 years experience in local government and administration. He has 25 years of combined professional management and administration at both the federal and local government levels with experience in economic development, utility management, emergency management, program development, project management, human resources, public relations, environmental protection and intergovernmental relations.
He has served in city management positions in both Florida and Georgia as well as high-level administrator positions with the federal government, officials said.
Eddie Phillips, interim city manager, said, "The council feels he has both the knowledge, experience and personality to lead our city into the future as we concentrate on economic development, community revitalization and the delivery of excellent city services at the lowest possible cost."