Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall Resigns
5+ year Administrator to take position at International City/County Management Association
Hilliard City Manager Michelle Crandall- the city’s first to ever serve in the role- is stepping down from the role July 25.
Crandall announced her departure on May 27 at the conclusion of the Hilliard City Council meeting after which council members convened in executive session, or a closed meeting, to discuss “the appointment of a public official.”
Crandall is departing from her job as city manager to accept the job as Chief Member Services Officer of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
Crandall steps down after serving five years and seven months in the role and as the first city manager ever hired.
She began the role Jan. 1, 2020, following a voter-approved charter amendment in November 2018 that changed the city’s form of government from that of a strong mayor to a city manager.
“Hilliard is an amazing community with an incredibly talented, innovative, and dedicated team of city employees. I am proud of all we have accomplished together during my time here. I leave here knowing that we have co-created a culture that honors the ideas, contributions and talents of all of our staff members and that results in exceptional services and safety services for all of our community members,” Crandall said.
City Council President Tina Cottone credits Crandall with forging a collaborative relationship with City Council.
“Working with Michelle has been an honor. She transformed the environment for our Hilliard city staff into a collaborative and supportive workplace that fosters creativity and values-based teamwork. The first thing I noticed (when I was elected to City Council in 2021 was) a willingness to help and this came through Ms. Crandall and radiated out to the entire Hilliard team,” Cottone said.
Crandall said the decision did not come easy.
“Leaving this team of dedicated public servants was an extremely difficult decision, but the opportunity to work for ICMA in this new role was one I could not let go. Being able to give back to a profession and a professional organization that has given so much to me throughout my career is a true honor and a privilege,” Crandall said.
Julia Novak, CEO and executive director of the International City/County Management Association considers Crandall a good fit for stepping into a first-of-its-kind role for the organization.
“ICMA is fortunate to have an engaged and committed ICMA Member joining us as the organization’s first Chief Member Services Officer. This position, and Michelle’s hiring, is an expression of our commitment to providing programs and services valued by our members. It is fitting that someone who has spent their career dedicated to providing exceptional local government services would end their direct service in the profession by joining the professional organization committed to supporting professional local government, globally. I cannot wait for her to join us in July,” Novak said.
The mission of the ICMA, according to its Website is to support its more than 13,000 member local government professionals.
“ICMA is the leading organization of local government professionals dedicated to creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout the world. We do this by working with our more than 13,000 members to identify and speed the adoption of leading local government practices to improve the lives of residents. ICMA offers membership, professional development programs, research, publications, data and information, technical assistance, and training to local government chief administrative officers, their staff, and other organizations around the globe,” according to icma.org.
Stay tuned to the Beacon for continued coverage of this developing situation.