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Kalamazoo City Commission selects Raftelis to lead city manager search
Summary
After presentations from three finalist executive search firms and public comment emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion, the Kalamazoo City Commission voted to hire Raftelis to run the search for a new city manager.
The Kalamazoo City Commission voted to hire Raftelis to lead the search for a new city manager, approving the selection in a roll-call vote after public comment and a review of three finalist firms.
The decision follows the announcement earlier this year that City Manager Jim Ritsma will retire effective Nov. 18. A subcommittee of commissioners and staff screened about 10 applications, identified three finalists — SGR, CPS HR and Raftelis — and invited those firms to present to the commission and public. The commission met in a special session to hear follow-up answers from the finalists, take public comment and vote.
Why it matters: The city manager will lead day-to-day operations for Kalamazoo City; the search firm will manage recruitment, candidate vetting and initial engagement with finalists. Several public speakers and commissioners framed the selection around the firms’ commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the ability of the lead recruiter to work effectively with the commission and the community.
Committee and firms: Commissioners and staff reviewed proposals and invited three finalists to present in person. The three finalists were identified as SGR, CPS HR and Raftelis. Commissioners and public commenters said Raftelis’ lead recruiter, Pamela Weidman, presented a concise plan and answered DEI questions directly during the earlier presentations.
Public comment: Dozens of residents and community representatives spoke during the public-comment period. Several speakers explicitly urged the commission to choose Raftelis and praised Pamela Weidman’s presentation and DEI approach. Commenters included **** Schultz, who said of Raftelis’ presenter, “She had detailed data on the tip of her tongue.” Wendy Fields, president of the council branch of the NAACP, said Raftelis’ lead presenter “did an excellent job and that's who I'm supporting.” Meg Adams, a member of ISAAC, described Raftelis’ recruitment team as “committed to DEI” and cited the firm’s stated placement statistics. Multiple ISAAC members and other community leaders likewise expressed concern that one finalist (SGR) faced a perceived conflict of interest and that CPS HR’s presentation did not adequately address DEI concerns.
Discussion and decision: Commissioners discussed the presentations and their impressions of the firms’ preparedness and responses to DEI questions. Several commissioners said Raftelis’ presentation stood out because the presenter was prepared, did not rely on slides and anticipated the commission’s priorities, including first-year onboarding plans for a new city manager. Vice Mayor Hess moved to accept Raftelis as the city’s executive search firm; Commissioner Hoffman seconded the motion. Clerk Boerling called the roll. Recorded votes were: Commissioner Hoffman — yes; Commissioner Bridal — yes; Commissioner Wilson — yes; Vice Mayor Hess — yes; Mayor Anderson — yes; Commissioner Cooney — yes; Commissioner Decker — yes. The motion passed.
Follow-up and process: After the vote the commission voted to return to closed session and stated it would not return to the public meeting for adjournment. Commissioners and staff noted the subcommittee’s work is not finished; staff (including the human resources director) and the selected firm will proceed with next steps in the recruitment process.
Ending: With the selection complete, the commission left for closed session to continue executive-search work and did not resume the public portion of the meeting.
