Texas – Marie Peoples will become Killeen’s next city manager following a 6-1 vote by city council. Peoples will begin Nov. 9, taking over for Kent Cagle, who is retiring. She previously served as city manager for Webster Groves, Mo., and deputy county manager for Coconino County, Ariz. The city said 118 people applied for the role.
California – Tyler Batson has been promoted from deputy fire chief to fire chief for the City of Escondido. Batson had been serving as interim chief for nearly a year. He joined the Escondido Fire Department as a firefighter paramedic in 2003. Over the course of two decades, Batson has worked his way through every rank within the department.
Florida – William Sturgeon, who had been serving as Sarasota County’s interim fire chief, has been selected to fill the position on a permanent basis. Sturgeon, who took on the interim title in July, has 40 years of firefighting experience. He was previously the department’s assistant chief of training. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal and St. Cloud, Fla., Fire Rescue.
Indiana – Mansour Eid will retire as superintendent of the South Bend Community School Corp. in June. Members of the school board named Eid interim superintendent in February 2025, then extended his contract through the 2026-27 school year in December 2025. He has held several positions within the South Bend school system, including serving as a principal and Director of High Schools and Career & Technical Education.
West Virginia – Jason Webb is being bumped up from deputy chief to chief of the Charleston Police Department. Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin made the announcement as the current police chief, Scott Dempsey, prepares to retire Oct. 22. Webb will be sworn in that same day.
Ohio – Tom Smith is Riverside’s new city manager. Smith will be sworn in during the city council meeting scheduled for Oct. 19. He previously served as the assistant city manager of Loveland, Ohio; community and economic development director for Middletown, Ohio; and director of development for Monroe, Ohio.
Wisconsin – Nicholas Mantsch, a police sergeant for the City of Darlington, has been appointed to the police chief’s position. In making the announcement, city leaders cited Mantsch’s “strong commitment to community-oriented policing.” He replaces Szvon Conway, who had led the department since 2024.
Alaska – Jharrett Bryantt, superintendent of the Anchorage School District, is leaving to lead the Alexandria, Va., City School Board. Bryantt will depart Anchorage early next year and start Feb. 1 in Alexandria, where he’s been offered a three-year contract. He has been superintendent in Anchorage since July 2022, taking the reins from Deena Bishop.
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