Forest Park hires Human Resources Director Tye Smith to replace City Manager Ray Hodges, who will retire at year's end.
Forest Park has chosen a new city manager.
Tye Smith, who has served as Forest Park’s human resources director since 1996, was selected to replace City Manager Ray Hodges, who will retire at the end of the year. Smith also fills in for Hodges as acting city manager, as needed.
Smith’s career in human resources dates to 1993. He was public relations director, human resources director and assistant to the city manager of Trotwood, Ohio, from 1993 to 1995. Smith served as human resources director for the Montgomery County, Ohio, Park District from 1995 to 1996. Before working in human resources, Smith was a career adviser and college program recruiter for Wright State University.
Smith’s appointment was supported by a 5-1 vote of City Council, with Councilwoman Regina Collins voting against the resolution on June 5. Councilman Charles Southall was absent.
Collins opposed the vote because the hiring committee had interviewed only three of the four candidates.
Council member Wynndel Burns said the fourth candidate was not a mandatory part of the selection process.
Councilwoman Denise Holt said only three candidates had remained for consideration.
“We decided that the fourth person decided they were no longer interested in being interviewed,” Holt said.
A vote followed the discussion, and Smith was chosen by a vote of 5-1.
Passage of the resolution cleared the way for the city to negotiate a contract with Smith. He will begin as city manager on Jan. 1, 2018, after Hodges retires Dec. 31.