Ten years at the city's helm.(PROFILE)(Pete Stalker)

Public Management, May, 2005 by Whetstone, Matt

About 10 years ago, Pete Stalker reached a crossroads in his life. On one hand, Stalker had come to love Cadillac (Michigan), where he had worked as a member of the city government since 1987. On the other hand, Stalker was ready to advance his career, yearning to become a city manager. Already, Stalker was a finalist for another position.

Fortunately, that decision never had to be made, as then-Manager Bob Hamilton was moving on. The opening in Cadillac gave Stalker the opportunity to stay in town and keep in line with his goal to advance his career. In 1995, councilmembers gave Stalker the official vote and welcomed its 17th city manager, dating all the way back to March 9, 1914. PLANTING A SEED The roots of a career in public...