Mark Rees, Selected to be New City Manager for Portland

By Carol McCracken (Post # 788)

Mark Rees is not yet a household name, but it appears it will be a household name this fall.  September 1st is when Rees is expected to assume his new post as city manager or  possibly sooner said Councilor Cheryl Leeman, at a hastily called press conference at noon at city hall.  It was faciliated by Councilor Cheryl Leeman with Mayor Nicholas Mavadones assisting her.  Leeman has served as chair of the Search Committee since Joe Gray, Jr. resigned earlier this year. 

Rees  has twenty years experience as Town Manager in North Andover, MA.  Prior to that he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Framington, MA. In that five year tenure, he developed fiscal policies that reversed a three-year trend of operating deficits and sustained the community’s AA3 bond rating.  He earned a BS in Physics from Boston College and a Master of Public Administration  from the University of Pittsburgh.   While his salary has not been approved,  it is expected to be about $143,000. per year and will become part of a  contract which is still in draft form.  “He interviewed really well,” said Leeman following the press conference.  “The deal was just wrapped up this morning, thus the short notice to the press, ” she added. 

Leeman was quick to thank acting city manager Patricia Finnigan, who was also a candidate for the position.  Leeman has been part of previous efforts to hire a city manager and said that this process worked the best of them all.  The Mayor added his appreciation to Council Leeman and the search committee for their hard work in making this selection and in such good time – possibly ahead of the proposed schedule.   The other members of the Committee were Jill Duson and John Anton, neither of whom were present at the press conference.

Please email Colin Baenziger at: colin@cb-asso.com for more information on his executive recruiting services.

Please also visit Post # 780, dated May 16, herein for more background information on the city’s search for a new city manager.