FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Forest Lake City Administrator Finalists-Updated List
Forest Lake, June 3, 2024 —The Forest Lake City Council has been working to fill the City Administrator role for the last few months and engaged with recruitment firm, DDA Human Resources, Inc. in February. The position was advertised on March 26, 2024, and applications were received through April 23, 2024. There were 45 applicants for the position. Candidates were initially evaluated based on experience, education, and the desired attributes as established by the Council. The City Council selected six candidates to bring in for final interviews. One of those candidates, Renae Fry, has withdrawn from the process so the city has invited Tariq Al-Rifai to join the group of finalists interviewing with the City Council, Department Heads and Community Panel on June 20th. The six finalists are:
Tariq Al-Rifai currently serves as the City Administrator/Economic Development Director with the City of Paynesville, Minnesota, where he has been in the role for three and a half years. Prior to this, he served as the Executive Director with the Quorum Centre for Strategic Studies for four and a half years, as Head of Research & Investor Relations with the Kuwait Finance House for three years, and as the Director – Index Investment Strategy with S&P Dow Jones Indices for nearly four years. Mr. Al-Rifai holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business Finance from St. Cloud State University and a master’s degree in International Business Management from DePaul University.
Joe Gaa most recently served as the City Administrator for the City of Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was employed for 5 months. Prior to this, he served as the City Manager for the City of Aberdeen, South Dakota, for three years, as the City Administrator for the City of Dickinson, North Dakota, for two years, and as the City Manager for the City of Chariton, Iowa, for over four years. Mr. Gaa holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration/Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Recreation Management, both from Northwest Missouri State University.
Thomas Hutka most recently served as the Town Manager for the Town of Newington, Connecticut, where he worked for six months. Prior to this, he served as the City Manager for the City of Port Huron, Michigan, for five years, as the Director of Public Works for Broward County, Florida, for 11 years, and as the Director of Municipal Program Management with the HNTB Corporation for three years. Mr. Hutka holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Eric Johnson most recently served as the City Administrator for the City of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, where he was in the role for over 20 years. Prior to this, he served as the City Administrator for the Village of Winneconne, Wisconsin, for nearly five years, as the Director of Economic Development for Rusk County, Wisconsin, for nearly two years, and as the Director of Economic Development for the Galax Downtown Association for seven months. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, a master of Public Administration from George Washington University, and a doctorate degree in Public Administration from Hamline University.
Pat Oman most recently served as the County Administrator for Becker County, Minnesota, where he was employed for three years. Prior to this, he served as a Technical Expeditor with Skywater Technology for one year, as the County Administrator with Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, for six years, and as the City Administrator/Executive Director HRA with the City of Moose Lake, Minnesota, for two years. Mr. Oman holds bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Arts History from the University of Minnesota and master’s degrees in Manufacturing Systems and Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.
Devin Swanberg currently serves as the Village Administrator for the Village of Osceola, Wisconsin, where he has been in the role for one and a half years. Prior to this, he served as the City Administrator for the City of Harmony, Minnesota, for one and a half years, as the Economic Development Director for the Pine Island Economic Development Authority for three years, and as a Track Coach/Substitute Teacher for Forest Lake High School for six years. Mr. Swanberg holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration, both from Hamline University.
Meeting agendas and schedules for the day will be posted on the city’s website, www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us the week prior.