(Richardson, TX) — Richardson City Manager Dan Johnson announced on Nov. 9 the selection of two assistant city managers to oversee the City’s Community Services functions and its Administrative and Leisure Services functions. The new Assistant City Manager of Community Services will be Don Magner, who was promoted from within the City of Richardson. The new Assistant City Manager of Administrative and Leisure Services will be current Farmers Branch Assistant City Manager Shanna Sims-Bradish.
“This is an exciting day for our organization,” said City Manager Dan Johnson. “Both Don and Shanna have the proven background and experience to effectively provide that leadership, and I feel fortunate to have them as part of our team.”
The Assistant City Manager of Community Services oversees the:
- Community Services Department;
- Information Technology Department;
- Office of Emergency Management; and
- Public Services Department.
The Assistant City Manager of Administrative and Leisure Services oversees the:
- Parks and Recreation Department;
- Human Resources Department;
- Budget Office;
- Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations;
- Library Department; and
- Serves as Arts Liaison.
Assistant City Manager of Community Services Don Magner
Don Magner’s promotion to Assistant City Manager of Community Services is effective November 12, 2012. Magner currently serves as the director of Richardson’s Community Services Department and will continue direct oversight of the department until a replacement director is selected.
“Working for the City of Richardson has been a deeply enjoyable experience, and I’m very happy to have this new opportunity,” said Magner. “It means a great deal to have the opportunity to continue the great work of our Community Services Department, while also having the opportunity to lead all of the departments that make up the City’s Community Services.”
“Don has a proven history of being able to implement new ideas and programs, and is very connected with the community,” said City Manager Dan Johnson. “His involvement as a leader on our team, and as a leader in our community, makes him a valuable asset to our organization, and there is simply nobody more qualified and able to serve as our new Assistant City Manager of Community Services than Don.”
History
Magner joined the City of Richardson in 1996. After a short stint conducting compensation analysis, Magner was assigned to the Building Inspection Department, where he served in a variety of inspection roles. In 2000, he was promoted to Assistant Building Official. Over the next three years, Magner played an important role in creating and implementing the City’s Neighborhood Vitality & Integrity Strategy, which was adopted in 2003 and resulted in the creation of the Neighborhood Services Department.
After serving as the head of Neighborhood Services for eight years, Magner was named Director of Community Services, which houses: Building Inspection, Code Enforcement, Environmental Services, Community Programs and Reinvestment Strategies.
Education
Magner earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government & Politics from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1996 and a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1999. He is also a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service’s Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) Program.
Community Honors
In March 2009, Magner was honored by the Collin County Business Press as one of its 21 Leaders of the 21 Century. He was also recognized by the Richardson YMCA as its 2009 Volunteer of the Year. In 2010, he received the Outstanding Service Award from the NETWORK of Community Ministries.
Community Activity
Magner currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Richardson YMCA, on the St. Paul the Apostle Parish Pastoral Council, on the Board of Directors for the Richardson Kiwanis, and on the Advisory Panel of the North Texas Code Professionals Association, which he co-founded. He is a graduate of Leadership Richardson Class XX and Richardson Citizens Police Academy Class XXVII. Magner is an active member of the International Code Council and American Association of Code Enforcement. He resides in Richardson with his wife Dionne and sons Davis and Aidan.
Assistant City Manager of Administrative and Leisure Services Shanna Sims-Bradish
Shanna Sims-Bradish’s appointment to Assistant City Manager of Administrative and Leisure Services is effective December 3, 2012. Sims-Bradish currently serves as an Assistant City Manager in the City of Farmers Branch.
“The City of Richardson has a phenomenal reputation in municipal government, and the opportunity to be a part of it is extraordinary,” said Sims-Bradish. “I am honored that my diverse background and experience have been identified as a good match, and I am greatly looking forward to my new role in the community.”
“Shanna has a remarkable reputation in the city management profession, and has the diverse background needed to successfully lead our Administrative and Leisure Services,” said City Manager Dan Johnson. “Her abilities will be a perfect fit in our organization, and I am excited to have her become a part of our administrative team.”
History
Sims-Bradish has served with the City of Farmers Branch since 2008. In her post she supervises the Fire, Parks and Recreation, Human Resources and Library departments. In prior years, she has also supervised the City’s Communications Department and the Economic Development and Tourism Department. From 2004 to 2008 Sims-Bradish served with the Town of Addison as its Strategic Services Manager, and served in the City of Carrollton as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager (1997-1999) and Assistant to the City Manager (1999-2004).
Education
Sims-Bradish earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1997, where she was a Buford Watson Scholar. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri, where she graduated in 1995 with honors.
Professional Activity/Memberships
Sims-Bradish is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and in 2008 graduated from the ICMA Emerging Leader Graduate program. She is also a member of the Texas City Management Association, Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, and Kansas University City Management and Trainees Association.
Community Activity
Sims-Bradish is currently involved in the following: Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club, volunteer for the Metrocrest Social Service Center, member and officer of P.E.O. Chapter IQ – Frisco, and tutor at Farmers Branch Elementary School. Prior community activities include: Creekview High School Law and Government Services Pathway Advisory Board, graduate Leadership Metrocrest (1999) and advisor for Youth Leadership Metrocrest.
(Story courtesy of Greg Sowell, the director of communications for the City of Richardson.)