CITY OF OTTAWA ANNOUNCES HIRING OF NEW CITY MANAGER

The City of Ottawa has selected Brian Silcott as its new City Manager. Silcott, a Kansas native and veteran, brings more than 20 years of experience in city management. Most recently, he served 15 years as city administrator for the community of Goddard, Kansas. Prior to that, he was city manager for Osage City, Kansas, and city administrator for Sterling, Kansas. Silcott started his local government career in Wichita and Wellington. Silcott also served 16 years in Army National Guard and is a member of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

“We are thrilled to bring Mr. Silcott on as our next City Manager,” said Mayor Eric Crowley. “We had a strong group of candidates, but Brian’s keen understanding of effective city government and local governance in Kansas, along with his management experience, make him a great fit to lead our city operations.”

Silcott was selected after an extensive two-month search process spearheaded by the Ottawa City Commission and SGR, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in identifying and recruiting local government leaders. Through that process the Commission reviewed 26 applications from candidates in 11 states and Canada.

“I’m honored to be offered this opportunity to serve the City, its governing body and its citizens,” said Silcott. “I am eager to start working with all segments of the community to support the values and priorities embraced by Ottawa. My wife Mary Elizabeth, our son Holton, and I are looking forward to making Ottawa our home.”

Silcott holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science, both from Wichita State University. He has served on the boards of directors of multiple municipal utility and energy agencies in Kansas and is he an active member of the Kansas Association of City/County Management.