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People on the Move

Leadership Appointments: Aug. 6 – 12, 2026

August 12, 2026

Washington – Andre Sayles has been named interim chief of the Seattle Police Department. He’s been with the agency for a year, arriving from Beloit, Wisconsin, where he served as police chief. “I chose Andre Sayles because he has done this job before and can hit the ground running,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said.

South Carolina – Josh Kay is Myrtle Beach’s new assistant city manager. He currently serves as vice president and Myrtle Beach director for Mashburn Construction, bringing with him more than 20 years of leadership experience in local government, economic development and the private sector.

North Carolina – Brian Pahle is the new Hendersonville city manager, effective Oct. 1. Pahle has served as the deputy city manager and assistant city manager for the past nine years, in addition to stints as the city’s budget and evaluation director and budget and management analyst.

North Carolina – Stephanie Mardis, currently assistant chief of the Greensboro Police Department, has been named Durham’s next police chief. Under Mardis’ leadership, Durham plans to continue focusing on violence reduction strategies aimed at reducing shootings and homicides by 10 percent each year.

Maine – Eric Pelletier has been confirmed as Bangor’s next fire chief. Pelletier, who had served as interim chief since June, first joined the Bangor Fire Department as a lieutenant in 2015. He was promoted to captain in 2018 and has served as deputy chief for the last eight years.

Florida – Marcus Collins is the new city manager for Monticello. In a previous search, Collins emerged as City Council’s top choice, however he ultimately decided to stay in his current position. This time, however, Collins said he was ready to make a move.

Texas – Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker will retire Aug. 31. Baker came to Austin in 2018, becoming the first African-American to lead the city’s fire department. Tom Vocke will serve as acting chief while city leaders conduct a nationwide search for their next chief.

South Carolina – Longtime officer Art Littlejohn has been selected as the next chief of the Spartanburg Police Department. Littlejohn currently serves as Major over the Patrol Services Bureau, the department’s largest bureau, and has led its tactical team for more than 20 years.

Strategic Partnerships

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a nationally focused business development, government affairs consulting, and procurement consulting firm. Since 1995, the SPI team has offered a more comprehensive suite of services than any other firm in the country. SPI’s capabilities include expertise in the areas of Public-Private Partnerships and the State, Local, and Education (SLED) market.

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