After a competitive months-long recruitment process, the Royal Oak City Commission voted 7-0 on April 13 to approve the employment agreement for Paul J. Brake – the new city manager.
Mr. Brake watched the commission meeting remotely from Morgantown, WV as it livestreamed and was able to quickly communicate electronically how pleased he was with the unanimous vote. He has served as the city manager of Morgantown since 2017.
He is set to begin his new job in Royal Oak on May 21.
“Paul brings exceptional experience and an innovative mindset,” said Mayor Michael Fournier. “He will make an excellent manager – especially as we work to rebound from the current coronavirus crisis.”
The uncertainly of the public health crisis will be critical to the timing of the arrival of the seasoned administrator.
“I look forward to working with the talented city staff to restore the full extent of quality local government services for the residents of Royal Oak,” he said. “I am truly committed to giving my very best as we transition into this new normal.”
No stranger to Michigan, Mr. Brake’s executive-level administration experience has included performing the duties of city manager in Grand Blanc for four years and he was the assistant township manager in Meridian Township for 13 years.
He received a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan, and in 2019 he was selected to participate in a program for senior executives in state and local government at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Dave Gillam has served as interim city manager of Royal Oak since August 12, 2019. Gillam will continue to serve in the role of city attorney once the new city manager is in place.