Westmont manager announces retirement; says he will appoint Mayor Jim Gunther as successor pending board approval

Village Manager Steve May announced at the Westmont Village Board meeting on Feb. 6 that he will retire effective June 1 and said he intends to appoint Mayor Jim Gunther as the next village manager.

May’s announcement came during his report to the board. “I am officially announcing my retirement as village manager. It’ll be effective June 1,” Village Manager Steve May said, adding he had been planning the timing “for well over a year.” He told the board his last meeting will be Thursday, May 28, and that his last day in the office would likely be May 29 because June 1 falls on a Sunday.

May added that, after discussion with board members and staff, “it’s my intention to appoint Jim Gunther as our next Village Manager. He brings a wealth of experience from serving as our Police Chief for several years and most recently as our Chief Public Safety Officer.” May said the formal Village Manager appointment will appear on a future agenda for board approval.

The announcement followed routine reports and ceremonial items at the start of the meeting. May described the village manager role as “very directly tied to the mayor” and said the June 1 timing aligned with organizational needs and the municipal election calendar.

No formal vote or appointment occurred at the Feb. 6 meeting. The board did not act that night to confirm any appointment; Manager May said the appointment would be placed on an upcoming agenda for the board’s official approval.

Background and next steps: May said he has served the village in multiple capacities, including as village manager for the last 10 years and earlier roles in public works and as village engineer. He thanked staff and the community for their support and said the transition will be handled internally. The board and staff will follow the standard agenda process when the appointment is brought forward for a formal vote.

Details recorded at the meeting: May set his effective retirement on June 1, 2025, with his last scheduled board meeting on May 28, 2025, and said the intended appointee, Jim Gunther, is the current mayor and has served as the village’s police chief and as chief public safety officer.