Salina commission interviews four executive-search firms and selects Government Professional Services

The Salina City Commission on March 12, 2025, conducted online interviews with four executive-search firms and, after public deliberation, voted unanimously to enter a contract with Government Professional Services (GPS) to lead the city manager recruitment.

Commissioners heard hourlong presentations and answered questions from representatives of GPS; Baker Tilly; Strategic Government Resources (SGR); and Raftelis. Each firm described its recruitment process, outreach methods and candidate vetting. After the presentations the commission discussed relative strengths and differences in public session and then made a formal selection.

Why it matters: The city is preparing to replace its long‑time city manager and the chosen firm will shape the candidate pool, the community-engagement plan and the finalist interview process. Commissioners said they wanted a firm that would both recruit broadly and tailor the finalist process to local priorities.

During his presentation, Chris Lowe of Government Professional Services described his firm as former city managers who now run searches: “We are not what we consider to be an executive search firm, we are city managers who hire…