Costa Rica RPCV Mark Roath is finalist vying for Wylie, Texas City Manager
Roath is finalist for Texas job
North Port city manager is contender for top spot in Wylie
NORTH PORT -- City Manager Mark Roath is one of four finalists vying for a city manager's position in Wylie, Texas.
Roath, 55, who has been the city manager of North Port since June 2000, was interviewed by the city council and residents of Wylie June 17 and June 18, according to Mark Witter, public information officer for the city of Wylie.
Witter said Roath was one of four professionals being considered for the position. Other finalists include: Todd Hileman, city manager, city of Avondale, Ariz.; Mike Tanner, city manager, city of Portland, Texas; and Edward Thatcher, interim director of municipal court, city of Garland, Texas.
"I have been in communication with the Mercer Group and the city of Wylie, Texas, about their city manager position," Roath said Thursday. "I have expressed interest in the position.
"I do have immediate family in the Dallas, Texas, area, which this opportunity, if offered, would afford me and my family the ability to be closer to them. A final decision has not been made," he said.
Currently, the mayor and city attorney in Wylie are negotiating with the No. 1 candidate for the Wylie city manager's position, but Witter could not deny or confirm if that choice was Roath.
"We did two days of interviews and had an open reception and the community interacted with the four candidates," Witter said Thursday in a telephone interview. "We are looking for a candidate familiar with rapid growth issues."
Witter acknowledged that Roath's credentials matched the criteria set forth by the Wylie City Council.
"Some citizens were impressed with Mark," he said, adding that Wylie had grown 73 percent since the 2000 census, making it comparable to North Port. "We're the fourth-fastest growing city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex."
Witter said the Wylie area is expected to grow by 5,000 people this year.
Witter explained that the position had not been filled as of Thursday, but an executive session related to the status of the city manager's position was held Tuesday. No action was taken, and the next regular Wylie city council meeting is July 27.
"My understanding is there could be a special city council meeting to take action (on the city manager's position) if they are at that stage," Witter said, adding the city had received more than 80 resumes for the position.
Witter said he understood that Roath has a grandchild in the area and that made the Wylie position attractive.
"I am not a grandparent myself, but I know grandparents like to be near their grandchildren," Witter said.
Roath was born in Dallas and grew up in Montana. After graduating from Ohio University, he joined the Peace Corps. While serving in the Corps in Costa Rica, Roath met his wife, Zeneida. They have two grown daughters.
Roath has been North Port's city manager since 2000. He has held several city manager positions since 1982, spending approximately two to three years at each position.
Prior to becoming North Port's city manager, Roath served the city of Oxford, Ohio, from 1997 to 2000; the city of North Platte, Neb., from 1994 to 1997; the city of Sapulpa, Okla., from 1992 to 1994; the city of Coweta, Okla., from 1989 to 1992; the city of Copperas Cove, Texas, from 1984 to 1985; and the city of Weslaco, Texas, from 1982 to 1984.
Roath was a law student at the University of Tulsa from 1985 to 1988. He has a bachelor's degree in public administration and a master's degree in public administration.
You may e-mail Tamara A. Patzer at tpatzer@sun-herald.com.
