UT System appoints vice chancellor for governmental relations
Julia Rathgeber has more than 30 years' experience working in Texas government
Suggestions
Ben Harvey – Ojai, California
California – The Ojai City Council unanimously voted to hire Ben Harvey as city manager. Harvey previously served as city manager for Pacific Grove for seven years as well as the city manager for Avalon from 2013 to 2015. He will take over the role
David Bowen – Washington Department of Ecology
Washington – The Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson selected David Bowen as director of the agency’s Central Region Office. Bowen has worked for Ecology since 2016, most recently serving as manager of the agency’s Nuclear Waste Program, which oversees cleanup at the Hanford nuclear
Steve McMichael – National League of Cities
Indiana – National League of Cities (NLC) President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, California, announced New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael has been appointed to the NLC 2024 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee. Over a one-year term, McMichael will provide strategic direction and guidance for
Julie Baxter Payer – Louisiana
Louisiana – Baton Rouge’s Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has appointed Julie Baxter Payer as chief of staff. Baxter Payer is a 30-year resident of Baton Rouge who most recently served as deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. She brings extensive experience in public
Larry Lester – Monroe, Ohio
Ohio – Larry Lester, former operations director of the city of Hilliard was recently approved as Monroe’s city manager, replacing William “Bill” Brock, who served for 20 years. Lester has served as operations director in Hillard, a community with 40,000 residents, since 2020. Before
Matthew Pepper – Snellville, Georgia
Georgia – The city of Snellville announced Matthew Pepper will be the new city manager, taking over for Butch Sanders, who retired after 12 years in the position. Pepper served the past two years as assistant city manager. Pepper comes to Snellville after serving as
John Slot – Seminole County, Florida
Florida – The government of Seminole County has hired John Slot as chief technology officer (CTO). Slot previously served as the CIO for the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority and Valencia College.
Ross Bjork – Ohio State University
Ohio – Ross Bjork has been hired as the athletic director for Ohio State University. Bjork previously worked as the athletic director for Texas A&M. He will replace longtime Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith. Bjork brings more than a decade of Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Sarah Wernikoff – Portola Valley, California
California – Portola Valley’s council unanimously voted Sarah Wernikoff as mayor during its meeting in December. Wernikoff most recently served as the town’s vice mayor and has been a council member since 2020.
