Archived Press Releases

Two finalists named for City Manager position

Edina, Minn., Aug. 17, 2010 – The Edina City Council has named Dean R. Lotter and Scott H. Neal finalists for the position of City Manager and invited them to interviews to be held on Monday, Aug. 23.

Twenty-nine people applied for the position of City Manager, previously held by Gordon Hughes, who retired July 30 after 36 years of service to the community. The Council hired PDI Ninth House to lead the search and interview process. Six semi-finalists were interviewed by panels of City staff and community members. Four of them were interviewed by a panel of area city managers and administrators. At its meeting Aug. 3, the Council recommended that the four of them continue on in the process and complete testing conducted by PDI. Since that time, two applicants voluntarily withdrew from the process.

At a special meeting Aug. 17, the Council reviewed the testing report from PDI and agreed to name the two remaining candidates finalists. “You have two viable and interested candidates,” Harry Brull of PDI Ninth House told the Council. “Both of these individuals are competent and would do a fine job. Both have the background, expertise and skills you seek.”

Lotter is currently the City Manager of New Brighton, a position he has held since 2007. Prior to that time, Lotter served as City Administrator of the Minnesota cities of Minnetrista, Janesville and Sherburn. He completed his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin -- Stevens Point and his master’s degree in urban studies from Mankato State University.

Neal has served as City Manager of Eden Prairie since 2002. He was previously the City Administrator of Northfield. He also has held the positions of City Administrator for the communities of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and Norris, Tenn. Neal received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from Iowa State University.

Lotter and Neal will be interviewed at a special meeting 7 p.m. Aug. 23. The meeting will be videotaped and later aired on Edina Community Channel 16. The Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24 to begin to deliberate. Council members have indicated their hope to offer the position to a candidate before Sept. 1.

For more information on the search and interview process, contact PDI Ninth House, 612-339-0927.