At their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Bridge City City Council unanimously appointed Christopher Baker as their next city manager. Mr. Baker was selected from twenty-four (24) applicants, including four finalists. Mr. Baker will officially start on January 15. Leading the search process was Slavin Management Consultants, Norcross, Georgia, a nationally renowned local government executive search firm specializing in assisting local governments find their next Chief Executive Officer.
Baker brings twenty-seven years of experience in local government, most recently as the Development Services Director in Goodyear, Arizona (population 112,000), where he oversaw substantial growth of the City as one of the Phoenix metropolitan area’s fastest-growing suburbs. He has extensive experience in economic development, transportation, land use planning, and public works. As an Alabama Gulf Coast native, where he spent much of his professional career, Baker and his family look forward to returning to the southeast. “I am excited to join a visionary City Council and work with a talented staff team at Bridge City. Elizabeth and I are also happy to return to this part of the country and to be near family”
Mayor David Rutledge said, “After an extensive search process, the City Council is very happy to welcome Mr. Baker and his family to Bridge City. He has tremendous experience in both the public and private sectors, advancing solutions important to local government. He has a significant understanding of the issues facing coastal communities and looks forward to learning more about the priorities of the Council and the citizens of Bridge City. We look forward to working with him and getting to work on addressing the problems and getting to work on addressing the priorities of the community.”
Mayor Rutledge further stated, “Mr. Baker is a successful leader who has managed large staffs, some larger than that in Bridge City. His past working experience in the Gulf Coast region and exhibiting leadership in the areas of interest by the City Council were important considerations for us.”
Bridge City citizens, other city and county officials, and members of the press are invited to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 6:00 pm for a reception to officially welcome Mr. Baker to Bridge City.
