People on the Move - Page 50

Mississippi – On Nov. 16, the Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Board of Trustees selected Dr. Marcus Thompson as the 13th president of Jackson State University. With more than 20 years of public education leadership experience, Dr. Thompson currently serves as the deputy

Alabama – Dr. Mike Howard was unanimously voted by the Lee County School System to take charge as its superintendent Nov. 14. Dr. Howard has served as superintendent of education for St. Clair County Schools since January 2019. Dr. Howard will begin his tenure for

Washington D.C. – Effective immediately, Lon Pluckhahn is the new president of the International City/County Management Association’s Executive Board. Pluckhahn left his position as deputy city manager of Vancouver, Washington, to accept the new role, the latest in his 29 years of public sector experience. 

California – After serving as the interim director for the Housing & Community Development (HCD) Department in the city of Oakland, Emily Weinstein has been officially appointed as the department’s permanent director. With 25 years of affordable housing and community development, Weinstein previously served as

Maryland – Miti Figueredo has been appointed by the Montgomery County Planning Board as parks director for Montgomery Parks. Figueredo previously served as chief of staff for the Planning Board Chair and as parks deputy director for administration. Figueredo will replace Mike Riley on Jan.

Washington D.C. – President Joe Biden has chosen Dr. Kimryn Rathmell as the next director of the National Cancer Institute. Rathmell is the current chair of the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Rathmell will bring 25 years of university

Nebraska – Mark Funkey has been selected as assistant city administrator for the city of Hastings. Funkey has served as the vice president of Danville Community College in Danville, Virginia, since January 2023. Bringing nearly 16 years of public education, Funkey will begin his role

Colorado – Woodland Park Interim City Manager Aaron Vassalotti is the lone finalist to be the town’s permanent city manager. Vassalotti was the city’s administrative services director before taking on the role of interim city manager, the latest role in his nearly 15 years of

Ohio – On Nov. 15, the Canfield City Council appointed David D’Apolito as its city manager. D’Apolito has served as a judge of the Ohio 7th District Court of Appeals since November 2018. He will officially replace Wade Calhoun as city manager Jan. 1. 

Florida – Matthew Coppler has been hired by the city of Port Richey as its city manager. Coppler began his tenure Nov. 13. Coppler previously served as city manager for St. Clair Shores, Michigan.