HomeMy WebLinkAboutHughes Retirement
Contact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Manager announces plans for retirement
Edina, Minn., March 11, 2010 – After a 36-year career with the City of Edina, City Manager
Gordon Hughes has tendered his resignation and announced his retirement.
Hughes plans to retire from the City July 30. Hughes joined the City of Edina staff as the City’s first
Environmental Planner in 1974. In 1977, Hughes was promoted to the position of Director of
Planning. In 1978, he also assumed the duties of Executive Director of the Edina Housing and
Redevelopment Authority, (HRA). In 1985, he was promoted to Assistant City Manager while
retaining his duties as Executive Director of the HRA. In November of 1998, he was appointed City
Manager.
“Over the course of my career here, I have worked for six mayors and 22 Council members. I have
been privileged to serve with an exceptional staff who work tirelessly for the benefit of this great
community. I believe the ‘right people are in the right chairs’ for the continued success of this
organization,” Hughes wrote in his letter of resignation. “I have served during very exciting times and
have been privileged to be part of cutting-edge initiatives such as Edinborough and Centennial Lakes.
[The City] has provided me with a career that is the envy of anyone in public service.”
Mayor Jim Hovland, who was part of the City Council when Hughes was named City Manager,
received the resignation on March 10. “Gordon Hughes has done all you could ever ask for in terms
of running and caring for an organization,” he said. “He is an incredible resource for the City – he’s
smart, knowledgeable in so many areas and an extraordinary manager.
“He has been a superlative City Manager. He could have gone anywhere he wanted during his career.
He could have run any city of any size in any place. We are so fortunate that he chose to stay here for
36 years. We hate to see him leave, but we wish him the very best.”
In the coming weeks, the City Council will determine how they plan to fill Hughes’ position.
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