Posted: 6:00 a.m. Monday, June 9, 2014

Gilleland was ‘good for the community’

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

    MIDDLETOWN — Judy Gilleland, when she was hired in 2008, became the first female city manager in Middletown’s history. Since 1956, there have been eight city managers in Middletown, and Gilleland was the first woman to hold the position.

But now, six years later, Gilleland, who retired last week, will be remembered more for what she accomplished as the city’s top administrator than the woman who broke through a gender barrier.

    During her career, Gilleland led the community through one of its worst economic downturns only to see the beginnings of rejuvenation; oversaw the progress with Section 8 Housing; street improvements; the sale of the Towne Mall to California investors; the building of the Greentree Health Science Academy on the campus of Atrium Medical Center; the opening of Pendleton Art Center downtown; Cincinnati State opening a branch campus downtown; and the school system moving its administrative offices into the City Building.

City officials have said Middletown is in better shape today than the day Gilleland was hired.

When she was hired AK Steel had just ended a yearlong lockout in March 2007 and the company moved its corporate headquarters in August 2007 to West Chester Twp. Downtown redevelopment had been stalled, but the East End development seemed hopeful behind the Renaissance development and the opening of Atrium in December 2007.

    And as she took over the city manager reins, the national economy started its historic near-collapse in 2008.

    Those on city council, those who worked closest with Gilleland, even those who sometimes vehemently disagreed with her, praised her many accomplishments as city manager.

    Middletown Mayor Lawrence Mulligan Jr., who presented Gilleland with a “certificate of appreciation” at her last council meeting, applauded her for being “a valued asset” and said the city now is in “a better place because of her service.”

    When she was hired six years ago, there were seven people on city council, and only Mulligan and Anita Scott Jones remain on council. Gilleland thanked them for their “faith and support” in choosing her over the other six finalists.

    Jones said when some people retire, it’s like they close a book and their life no longer has a purpose. But she expects Gilleland to write the next chapter.

    “You did it your way,” said Jones, who added the city was “blessed” to have Gilleland as its leader.

    Council member Dan Picard, who apologized to Gilleland for giving her “a hard time” with finalizing the city budget, called her an “outstanding” city manager. Now that she has retired, Picard hopes they can remain friends.

    As she neared retirement, Gilleland told council that she and her finance, Sam Ashwoth, who-me she met in Middletown, counted up some of career numbers: She has worked in city administration for 32 years, in seven cities, and for seven city managers and 11 mayors. She has attended about 1,500 community functions and 7,500 meetings.

    Gilleland, who earned $127,654 this year, announced her retirement in December 2013 and said she wanted to provide a six-month notice to council to allow time for any process it would need to select her replacement. Last month, council brought in five finalists for the position — Doug Adkins, director of community revitalization; Les Landen, the city’s law director, and three external candidates, Cathy Davison, former city manager in Steubenville, Ohio; Willie Norfleet Jr., city manager in Socorro, Texas; and Jane Howington, city manager in Newport, R.I. — and three days after the interviews, offered the position to Adkins.

    Gilleland, 52, worked as Pickerington city manager for 3½ years; Centerville assistant city manager/department head for 14 years; and Lebanon assistant to the city manager/department head for 6½ years. She also served internships in Tipp City, Hamilton and Dayton.

    She plans to remain in the city and be “very active” in the community, but not in the spotlight as much as she was as city manager. After three decades of public service in city government, Gilleland knew “the time was right to pursue other interests.”

    Former council member Ann Mort is one of Gilleland’s close friends. She called Gilleland “good for the community” and the right person at the right time. Middletown needed someone willing to “clean up some things,” Mort said.

    “She stuck her neck out, and when things went well, she promoted her people,” Mort said.

When asked if Gilleland will be remembered for “one big thing,” Mort said Gilleland accomplished “many, many little things.”

    Then she added: “You have to remember that she was a woman of power in a steel town. She has backbone.”

Middletown city managers since 1956:

Charlie Thompson, 1956-64

Dan Kothe, 1964-70

Dale Helsel, 1970-85

William Burns, 1985-88

William Klosterman, 1988-92

Ron Olson, 1992-2004

Bill Becker, 2005-07

Judy Gilleland, 2008-2014

Doug Adkins, 2014

SOURCE: City of Middletown