Three candidates have been selected as finalists for Vancouver’s open city manager position.
They are Jonathan Young, Vancouver city attorney; Lon Pluckhahn, Vancouver deputy city manager; and Nancy Newton, who currently serves as the city manager of Springfield, Ore.
Eric Holmes, 54, announced his retirement from the city manager position in February. He has worked for the city since 2007. His last day will be Oct. 11.
The finalists were chosen following a national search, community input and preliminary screening interviews.
“After an extensive national search, we are pleased that we have three strong finalists to consider for this critical role,” Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said. “The council has invited leaders of several organizations to help us interview the finalists this week. These panel interviews will help us hear different voices and perspectives that represent our community.”
Jonathan Young
Young currently serves as the city attorney of Vancouver. He has 20 years of legal experience and is a specialist in Washington municipal law.
He leads a team of 34 legal professionals and advises Vancouver’s city manager and the city council on roles, duties and powers.
Before joining the city in 2011 as an assistant city attorney, Young worked as a prosecuting attorney in Benton County for three years. Prior to that, he worked as an insurance defense attorney for four years.
He holds a Juris Doctor in law and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Lon Pluckhahn
Pluckhahn currently serves as deputy city manager of Vancouver, a role he has held since he started with the city in 2021. He has 30 years of experience working in local government.
Before joining Vancouver, Pluckhahn worked for 14 years as the city manager of Marion, Iowa.
He also served as city manager of Platteville, Wis., from 2003 to 2007, and as the city manager of West Liberty, Iowa, from 1998 to 2003.
He holds master’s degrees in community and regional planning and public administration, and a bachelor’s degree in political science with a public administration emphasis.
Nancy Newton
Newton currently serves as the city manager for the city of Springfield, Ore., a role she has held since 2020. She has 24 years of experience in local government.
Between 2016 and 2020, she served as assistant county executive and chief operating officer of Sacramento County, Calif.
She held multiple roles in Clackamas County, Ore., from 2000 to 2016, including deputy county administrator from 2010 to 2016.
She holds an executive master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational leadership.
Community forums
The three finalists will participate in two community Q&A sessions this week.
During these moderated discussions, the finalists will share their thoughts about the future of Vancouver and answer questions submitted by community members.
The first forum is 6-8 Thursday at the Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136th Ave., Vancouver.
The second will be 8-10 a.m. Friday at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 310 W. Sixth St.
Questions can be submitted at www.beheardvancouver.org/cmrecruitment/surveys/city-manager-survey.
Written questions will also be collected from the audience.
Community feedback from these forums will be summarized and delivered to the city council for consideration as it completes final interviews Monday.
The city plans to make an offer later this month and to start the transition process this fall.
