City Commission hires next Leavenworth City Manager
Sept. 25, 2024 | Public Information Office
At the Sept. 24, 2024 meeting, the Leavenworth City Commission hired Scott Peterson as the next City Manager for the City of Leavenworth. Peterson begins his new role Nov. 4.
Peterson takes over the job of City Manager after the resignation of Paul Kramer, who served in this role from 2015 through April of this year. The City Manager of Leavenworth oversees the day-to-day management of staff and reports directly to the City’s five elected City Commissioners. The City Manager is vital to City operations, and Police Chief Pat Kitchens has served as the Interim City Manager since Kramer’s departure at the end of April.
The City of Leavenworth hired Strategic Government Resources to conduct a nationwide search for City Manager, resulting in a field of 27 candidates. Five candidates were selected as finalists and visited on-site in early September for an all-day selection process consisting of 3 separate panel interviews and a City tour. Peterson emerged as the top candidate.
"I am incredibly excited to join the talented and professional team at the City of Leavenworth, and to work with the City Commission to achieve their common vision for the future of Leavenworth,” Peterson said.
Peterson is a 2011 K-State graduate and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas, which he earned in 2014. Peterson comes to the City of Leavenworth with more than 10 years of leadership positions at municipal governments including his most recent role as City Administrator of the City of Knob Noster, Missouri. Peterson’s experience encompasses the management and oversight of public works, public safety, utilities, parks and recreation, budgeting and finance, grants management, planning and zoning, code enforcement, public affairs and other government functions.
Establishing residency within the City limits of the City of Leavenworth in six months is a requirement for the position. Peterson said he looks forward to moving to the community with his wife, Mackenzie, and son Nolan.
“We are thrilled to become residents of the Leavenworth community,” he said. “We look forward to fully embracing this opportunity that the City of Leavenworth has graciously offered us. I will do everything in my ability to continue to uphold the honor and tradition that Leavenworth has earned as the First City of Kansas."
